It is sheep-shearing season and, at Howell Living History Farm, in keeping with the farm’s time period, shearers use hand shears for their annual “Shear Fun” shearing demonstration.
Howell Living History Farm will hold its 31st annual “Shear Fun” event on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The program features sheep shearing, sheep herding, and related arts, crafts and demonstrations. Also attending this year is the Hunterdon County Rug Artisans Guild. Hand-hooked rugs will be on display and the art of making them demonstrated.
Sheep-shearing demonstrations will take place at 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Children can crank a set of circa 1900 “automatic shears,” the precursor to electric shears. Herding demonstrations will take place at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Throughout the day, visitors can meet twin lambs and try their hand at spinning wool. Wool products and natural fleeces will be on display and for sale. Baked goods and lunch fare will be available throughout the day.
A children’s craft program, “Felting,” will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is $3. Groups (eight or more) must preregister.
Howell Farm is maintained and operated by the Mercer County Park Commission. It is located on Valley Road, just off Route 29, two miles south of Lambertville (GPS address: 70 Woodens Lane, Lambertville, NJ 08530). Visiting hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Parking and admission are free.
For additional information about the farm, call (609) 737-3299 or visit www.mercercountyparks.org or www.howellfarm.org.
