CUMMINGTON — The Massachusetts Sheep and Woolcraft Fair is celebrating its 50th and final year this weekend.
In 1976, a group of sheep breeders from around the state banded together and started what would grow into a must-attend event for sheep enthusiasts, drawing thousands of attendees from throughout New England and more than a hundred vendors each year.
Shawn Thayer, whose parents Cliff and Lorie founded the annual event that takes place in the peaceful, picturesque fields of the Cummington Fairgrounds, said a lack of volunteers coupled with changing times have signaled the end of the fair.
“The culture is changing, prices for raising and feeding animals is certainly not going down, which is often a major factor of whether families continue to raise animals or not,” she said. “But I think really the lack of volunteers is what drove the committee to make this last big hoorah.”
The volunteer-run fair grew from presenting sheep and explaining the fiber components of their wool, to featuring vendors, artists and dancers alongside demonstrations and sheep-dog competitions.
As part of this year’s event, special ribbons, medals and awards will be given out, raffles will be held, and 50th anniversary apparel will be on sale. There will also be a variety of singers and dancing groups for entertainment.
“Being one of the first fairs of the season is something that producers and spectators look forward to — like a chance to get out and hopefully enjoy some nice spring weather and see friends that you don’t see except during the spring and summer shows,” said Thayer.
Diehard attendees have included Debbie Dane of Williamstown, whose daughter got her first lamb at the fair 20 years ago when she was 11.
“It was a life-changer for her. It has propelled her personally, her competencies, and also professionally,” said Dane. “We’re super-attached to the fair for all it gives to young people of all varieties.”
Now 31, her daughter will be coming in from outside the area with her 9-month-old daughter.
Despite sheep being “one of the longest domesticated partners to human kind,” said Dane, she also admits that times are changing.
“Cultures change and livelihoods change, leaders change and kids’ interests change, what people want to eat and buy change,” she said. “But 50 years is a really good run.”
The final fair, at 97 Fairgrounds Road, kicks off Saturday with food booths opening at 7 a.m., and will wind down with a potluck dinner at 6 p.m. On Sunday, the fairgrounds will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A full schedule of events and hourly breakdowns is available online.
