The Trailing of the Sheep

By Audrey Pavia

Every autumn a traditional event accept place in the Pacific Northwest that sends participants back in time , to an geological era before cars , before computers , even before electricity .

With the help of nearly 2,000 sheep , those who touch in this traditional issue learn what it feel like to be alive hundreds of years ago , when homo and cleaning lady lived close to the land and trust on their animals for food , clothing and a way of life .

© Jack Williams / Courtesy SVKCVBOne of the most exciting aspects of the sheep ’s entrance into town is the   power to enter in driving the brute .

This event is The Trailing of the Sheep , a three - day fete held in the Sun Valley of Idaho every October since 1997.Celebrating the sheepherding history of key Idaho , The Trailing of the Sheep fete is made up of workshop , sheep dog tribulation , readings , medicine and , most notably , a walkway through the township of Ketchum with hundreds of sheep head from their summertime home in the slew to their winter grazing in the desert .

Sheep in the Wood River ValleyThe Trailing of the Sheep fete was inspired by the centuries quondam tradition of sheepherding in the Wood River Valley .

Located in central Idaho , the Wood River Valley sit at the bound of the Sawtooth and Challis National Forests , and is border by the majestic Sawtooth Mountains known today for its appeal to skiers .

Attend the EventThe 2007 Trailing of the Sheep will be held October 12 – 14 ,   in Hailey and Ketchum , Idaho . For more information on attend the outcome , meet the Trailing of the Sheep Festival ; ( 800 ) 634 - 3347;www.trailingofthesheep.org .

The Sawtooths have long been the summer home for sheep in the Valley that provide a significant amount of the neighborhood ’s food and clothing in the mid-19th century . By the recent 1860s , the area had a universe of 14,000 sheep . By the late 1800s , sheepherding replaced mining as the foremost industry in Idaho , and the state host a population of no less than 614,000 sheep . In 1918 , the sheep universe in the state reached 2.6 million , piss Idaho home to almost six times as many sheep as humans .

© Jack Williams / Courtesy SVKCVBMusicians and Oinkari Basque dancer spotlight the chronicle of the region and   bring a true sense of revel to the upshot .

The townsfolk of Ketchum , now a stamping ground town , was 2d only to Sydney , Australia , as the sheep capital of the world .

Good luck of sheepman in the Wood River Valley were of Scottish descent , let in James Laidlaw , a Scotsman who was one of the first successful sheep business community in the area .

Sheepmen of Basque origins were also plentiful in the region , having come to the area from northern Spain in hunting of Au . When they did n’t find their fortune in the James Jerome Hill and rivers of Idaho , they went back to a task they knew from their country of origin : sheepherding .

Every fall for many years , the Basque shepherds steer their flock from the lush meadows of the Sawtooth Mountains to the warm desert commonwealth below .

© Jack Williams / Courtesy SVKCVBUnlike 100 years ago , the sheep that now migrate down from the mountains to wintertime graze lands number only 1,700 .

This annual event , which has been taking position since the tardy 1800s , is the intake for today ’s tracking of the Sheep Festival .

Sheep in the StreetsToday , sheep are still part of the Sun Valley , though in vastly little numbers . Unlike 100 years ago , the sheep that now transmigrate down from the mountains to winter grazing kingdom number only 1,700 .

However , the situation of this flock walk through the town of Ketchum on a drop good afternoon is still enough to inspire visitant from around the domain to attend the event . Last yr ’s festival host holidaymaker from 36 states and six different state .

Although the festival is celebrated in the declination , shepherds also move their sheep through the towns of Bellvue , Hailey and Ketchum every outpouring on their way up to higher elevations for summer graze .

© Steve Platzer / Courtesy SVKCVBDuring the Trailing of the SHeep Parade , shopkeepers follow out to see , traffic stop and everything at that minute revolves around the sheep .

In groups of 1,500 , the sheep take the air through the Wood River Valley , up Highway 75 , through residential areas . They walk for a naut mi down Main Street in Ketchum , passing restaurants and shop on the way . A number of sheep stay on further up into the Sawtooth Mountains , where they spend the summer . In the fall , they return by the same route , to the delight of fete participants .

One of the most exciting aspects of the sheep ’s entrance into township is festival attendees ’ ability to participate in beat back the animals .

© Jack Williams / Courtesy SVKCVBThe judged sheepdog test feature highly trained Border Collies working sheep on their skipper ’s bidding .

Hundreds of people walk behind the sheep as they move through Ithiel Town in the Trailing of the Sheep Parade , each individual understanding for just a poor while what it ’s like to be a sheepman . Traffic stops , shopkeepers come in out to watch , and everything at that second revolve around the sheep .

The flock is led by a family that still keeps sheep in the vale today , and is adopt by historic , horse - drawn sheep wagons , and musicians and dancers of Scottish and Basque line of descent .

Festival Inspires Fair , Tales , Workshop … The passing of the sheep through townsfolk is empty the high spot of the festival , but is by no way the only upshot . Activities are scheduled for three daytime , all design to celebrate the history of sheep in the country as well as the ongoing importance of these animate being in the community .

© Jack Williams / Courtesy SVKCVBDuring a head walk through Neal Canyon , visitors can see tree carvings made by Basque sheepherder .

The Trailing of the Sheep weekend is host to many event , including :

One highlighting of the carnival admit local artists who show attendees how they run with wool . The job of shearing , carding , spinning and weaving are demonstrated , as well as sheepherding with dogs .

Navajo carpet fashioning is part of the presentment , featuring the unequaled methods of Navajo weavers . Workshops for children are also include .

Performances by The Boise Highlanders Scottish bagpiper and drummer , the Gaupasa Basque Folk Musicians , and the Oinkari Basque Dancers highlight the history of the region while bringing a true sense of revelry to the consequence .

Since many of the area ’s modern day shepherds are of Peruvian descent , music and song from Peru are also featured .

Sheep wagon display are available for viewing , and method of sheep camp cooking are establish . At the 2005 case , the St. Charles Church will provide a traditional Basque lamb dinner party , including Basque beans , Spanish rice with chorizo sausage , and flan , continuing a church building tradition of 50 years .

Other Town ActivitiesThe special effect hold up in conjunction with The Trailing of the Sheep are not the only activities in Ketchum and Hailey .

By lionise these culture along with the history of sheep in the Gem State , Idahoans and all that give ear this event keep the flavor of a magnificent and foregone geological era alive .