Visitors of all ages will have the opportunity to see sheep up close and learn more about them at Ardenwood Historic Farm’s annual Sheep Shearing Day on April 18. The long-running springtime event invites families to learn the ins and outs behind their clothes.
Running from 11am to 3pm, the event will feature live demonstrations of sheep shearing alongside activities like hands-on wool carding and felting. It aims to give visitors a deeper understanding of the journey from sheep to sweater, while highlighting the skill, care
and tradition behind the process.
“The relationship between people and sheep goes back thousands of years,” said Luke Bailey, a park naturalist who coordinated the event. “And it’s still part of our lives today, even if we don’t always see it.”
Sheep were among the first animals to be domesticated, dating back to around 9,000 BCE, and were essential to early hunters by providing clothing and meat. Wool, prized for its warmth and versatility, was highly valued and traded across ancient civilizations. Today, more than a billion sheep are sheared yearly across the world to fill up a market in the hundreds of millions.
At Ardenwood, attendees will meet breeds of Gotlands Sheep, known for their long and lustrous curls, along with mixes of Wensleydale, Merino, Jacob and Bluefaced Leicester Sheep.
“We’re excited for visitors to meet our new lambs,” said Bailey. “We have two sets of twins—one pair was born [on March 21] and another on [the 24th].”
Preparation for the event starts many months prior. Initial emails get turned into conversations and contracts with specialists.
“We work with a local shearer, a sheepdog herder, a spinning guild and multiple community partners to make the event possible,” Bailey said.
“It’s making sure we have all the materials needed to provide a meaningful experience,” he continued. “The process has been refined over many years, so it’s really about staying on top of tasks and keeping communication strong.”
The demonstrations are complemented with new sheepdog herding demonstrations as well as food vendors, face painting and live music. Guests will also have access to the Patterson House, offering a glimpse of what a working family farm was like from 1890 to 1930.
Bailey said the variety of activities is intentional, designed to make the experience both educational and engaging for all ages. “We try to make sure there’s something for everyone,” he said.
In 2025, the day amassed around 2,300 attendees and Bailey estimates that around the same number will come this year.
To help manage the growing turnout, organizers encourage advance planning.
“I recommend buying tickets in advance to reduce time spent waiting in line,” said Bailey. “Most of the event takes place outdoors, so visitors should come prepared for the weather.”
Bailey added, “It’s a place for kids—and the kid in all of us—to have that kind of simple, hands-on fun.”
Sheep Shearing Day
Saturday, Apr. 18
11am – 3pm
Ardenwood Historic Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
ebparks.org/sheep-shearing-day
Tickets: $7 adults, $6 seniors (62+), $5 children, 3 years and under free
