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This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
This is amazing! Sheepherding is one of the oldest occupations in the world, starting 6,000 years ago in Asia. Shepherds have always been an integral part of this important industry. In Blaine County the major commodity for many years was sheep.
Starting in 1880, feeding and shipping sheep was a major industry. By 1900, more than 1 million sheep had been raised or trailed through the Wood River Valley. That number more than doubled between 1910 and 1920, making Ketchum one of the largest sheep shipping centers in the United States.
Today that focus has shifted more to nearby Sun Valley Ski Resort. If you'd like to celebrate the important legacy sheep are to Utah and Idaho, you should try the annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival, a three-day long celebration with events in Sun Valley, Hailey and Ketchum. This year's festival, beginning October 11, is the 16th annual event.
Mary Crofts, executive director of the festival, says people from all over the world come the Trailing of the Sheep Festival. One of this year's major focuses is honoring the sheepherding heritage in the west, which has left a rich and colorful history. On Friday, Oct. 12, there will be a special showing of the documentary being made in honor of women of the west, many whose stories were captured during last year's festival.
Other events include a sheep folklife fair, fiber festival, lamb feast, sheepdog trials, photography workshop and an evening with Linda Cortright. She will be sharing stories and photos exploring natural fibers she's collected from all over the world sharing the importance of natural fibers. The culmination of the festival is at noon on Sunday when 1,500 sheep come trailing down Ketchum's Main Street. It's quite the site! Mary loves watching the hundreds of spectators pull out their cameras and start rolling because they can't believe what they're seeing.
The Trailing of the Sheep Festival has become an event not to be missed. For more information or to register, visit trailingofthesheep.org.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
Trailing of the Sheep Festival 208-720-0585 www.trailingofthesheep.org
