Coming to town for Maryland Sheep and Wool? Woohoo! Hope to see you there! I've put together this quick guide for festival visitors about how to make the most out of Sheep and Wool AND what to do when you're not at the festival.

Sheep and Wool Festival

Dress in layers--weather around here this time of year is hard to predict. It could be rainy and cool, sunny and hot or anything in between. So pack an umbrella and your sunscreen. It's unlikely to be cold enough for a sweater, but a shawl wouldn't hurt! And wear sturdy shoes--even if it's not actively raining at the Festival, it's been raining here for the last week, so it's likely to be muddy.
Bring a blanket. Especially if you have kids, there are plenty of nice grassy areas to sit down for a rest or have a little picnic, but you'll want something to sit on. Don't try to crowd into the popular area by the stage--scout out the areas by the barns for a little peace and quiet.
Pack healthy snacks. One area where MDSW pales in comparison to the Rhinebeck is the food. The Festival is heavy on fair food and lamb--the ribbon fries are delicious, but not exactly a healthy meal, and you won't find artichokes french or cider donuts here! So bring some granola bars, fruit, pretzels and other less-greasy fare. And WATER!
Plan ahead--download the vendor guide so you know where everyone is!
Arrive early if you want exclusives. Especially for the busy booths like Jennie the Potter, you'll have the best luck if you get in line early. Crowds also die down toward the end of the day, but by then, pickings can be slim. You can also try shopping during lunch!
Don't stand in line for things you can buy online! It's easy to get caught up in festival fever, but if you stand in line all day at the Miss Babs booth, you'll miss out on some gems elsewhere. So if you get a coveted show-exclusive colorway, by all means, queue up. But if you've just got things you can get in the online shop, it's not worth the wait just to save $6 on shipping.
Don't forget the outdoor vendors! The outside tents, especially in the lower corral, are sometimes seen as afterthoughts, but some great vendors are out there--like Dragonfly Fibers!
Want to grab a meal outside? The fairgrounds are a bit isolated, but Columbia and Ellicott City, Maryland are only about 20 minutes away and both have a number of restaurants. Try Victoria Gastro Pub (a little more upscale) or Eggspectation (great for kids)!
Visit the Neighborhood Fiber Co. tent--a certain someone might just have a sweater on display!

Around Town

The Sheep and Wool Festival itself is not near much of anything, but you're fairly close to Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Frederick, so when you're not at the Festival, you can find plenty to keep you busy.

The Knot House Indie Pop-up Shop. Kicks off Friday night and runs all weekend long in Frederick, MD, about 30 minutes from the fairgrounds. Check out yarns from awesome indie dyers and have fun visiting historic downtown Frederick, which is full of quirkly shops and amazing restaurants (I recommend Isabella's for tapas, Cacique for Mexican(ish) and Firehouse for brunch). I'll be at the pop-up shop Friday evening--hope to see you there!
Booze it up! If you're a beer person, do NOT miss the Flying Dog Brewery (sorry, no kids allowed). And if you're a wine lover, you must check out Black Ankle Vineyards (kid friendly!).
The Orioles vs. Oakland at Camden Yards. The Os are in town, so it's your chance to visit the best ballpark in the U.S. (ok, it was recently ranked #3, but close enough, it's awesome). Friday and Saturday games are at 7:05, and Sunday's game is at 1:35--and I think they've got some kind of special Mother's Day giveaway too. (No doubt it's pink. Girls like pink.)
Play tourist in Baltimore. If baseball's not your thing, you can still enjoy a day in Baltimore. The Inner Harbor is the default visitor's area because it has scenic views, shopping and restaurants all clumped together, but I personally suggest getting outside your comfort zone. Take the water taxi over to Fells Point, grab lunch or dinner and stroll those cobblestone streets. Or drive a bit north of downtown and visit Hampden--hons and hipsters make one happy family. If you do stick by the Harbor, don't miss the chance to climb up Federal Hill and take in the view!
Visit Alexandria, VA. You could visit all the usual monuments and museums in D.C., but, especially if you've done it before, I think your time is better spent just outside the Nation's Capital in Alexandria. And not just because of Fibre Space (but definitely visit!). Like Frederick, Alexandria's downtown area is full of history, fun shops and great eating. Plus, you can stroll down to the waterfront and walk along the Potomac.

Got more tips? This week in the Ravelry chatter thread we're talking about fiber festivals and how to make the most of them--stop by and share!

Have a great time at the Festival--I'll be there Saturday, so if you see me, say hi!

If you enjoyed this post, you may also like . . .

Featured