Wilfong Farms to host Sheep and Wool Festival

Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer

With more than 1,100 sheep on their farm, it seems only fitting that Wilfong Farms be the place to host a sheep and wool festival.

Farm owner Michelle Wilfong said the festival will include a sheepdog trial competition, as well as demonstrations of shearing, spinning and other wool related activities.

It will all take place May 9 through 12, at the Wilfong Farm on Wesley Chapel Road in Green Bank.

“We’re hoping to have a few different demonstrations during the weekend,” she said. “We’re going to have a shearing demo and then we are going to have a lamb lead at noon on Saturday and Sunday. [Our son] CW is going to be leading his lamb around and, hopefully, a few other kids will do the same.”

The main event which will take place all four days is the sheepdog competition. 

“We have about three hundred dogs that are planning to come and participate,” Michelle said.

“They’re coming from throughout the United States – primarily the east coast – the Carolinas, Florida, Virginia, Maryland and more.

“As far as we know, this is the first time West Virginia has ever held a competition like this.”

Those participating will earn points toward a final score that will determine if they qualify for the national competition.

All the dogs will begin the competition with a run of five sheep. Those who advance to the top 10 will run 15 sheep.

“They have to take the sheep through a course and into a pin,” Michelle said. “There are judges out there and they award them points. It’s a sight to see.”

The Wilfongs first got involved in sheepdog trials last year when they provided 700 lambs for a national trial held in Virginia.

There will be a tent set up for spectators, but Michelle advised that those attending should bring a chair and umbrella in case the tent gets filled up. Entry to the event is free, but she advises attendees bring cash for the concessions.