Whispering Pines Fiber Festival Hall of Breeds
Share your farm. Introduce your fiber. Connect with makers.
Do you raise fiber-producing animals, grow plants for natural fiber, or represent a breed association? Join the Hall of Breeds at the first Whispering Pines Fiber Festival on June 12–13, 2027, at the Orleans County Fairgrounds in western New York.
This is an opportunity to help makers discover where their materials come from, what makes your fiber special, and the people and farms behind it. You don't need an established fiber business or a product line ready for sale, just an interest in sharing what you produce.
The essentials for exhibitors
- Dates: June 12–13, 2027
- Public hours: Saturday, 10 am–5 pm; Sunday, 10 am–3 pm
- Location: Orleans County Fairgrounds in Knowlesville, New York, between Buffalo and Rochester
- Introductory exhibit fee: $25 for the two-day festival
- Exhibit space: An indoor space for a table-top or similar educational display
- Live animals: Welcome with advance arrangements, subject to available facilities
- Purpose: Education and networking, not retail sales
Complete the Hall of Breeds Interest Form
Who can take part?
I'd love to bring together a wide variety of fiber-producing farms, plant growers, and breed associations. That includes people raising sheep, alpacas, llamas, angora rabbits, fiber goats, and other fiber-producing animals, as well as those growing flax for linen, hemp, cotton, or other natural fibers.
If you work to preserve a heritage breed or fiber, this is a chance to share its story and help new people appreciate what makes it distinctive.
What could your display include?
Your exhibit should introduce visitors to your farm, organization, breed, or fiber. You might bring:
- Raw fiber samples for visitors to explore
- Photographs of your animals, plants, or farm
- Information about your breed and its fiber characteristics
- Plants or materials showing how your fiber is produced
- Examples of yarn, textiles, or finished projects made from your fiber
Live animals are welcome with advance arrangements and suitable facilities. Exhibitors are responsible for cleaning up after their animals. Pens may be available for an additional fee, subject to availability.
Make connections, without needing a retail booth
The Hall of Breeds is an educational and networking space. Selling directly from your exhibit will not be permitted, but you are encouraged to answer questions, share product and contact information, collect mailing-list signups, and arrange future transactions with interested visitors.
Whether you'd like to connect with individual makers, independent dyers, or other small fiber businesses, this is a way to explore the market for your fiber and learn what people are looking for.
Why this matters to me
I started my own wool business by staffing a breed exhibition. Introducing people to my sheep and their wool helped me understand what handspinners wanted and how to connect what I produced with the people who wanted to use it.
I'd like to offer that same opportunity to other producers. You don't need to have everything figured out before you join us. Sharing your knowledge and listening to makers can be a valuable first step.
Interested in giving a breed talk?
I'd also love to hear from exhibitors who would be interested in giving a breed talk. If you enjoy introducing people to your breed, explaining its fiber qualities, or sharing your experience as a producer, please let me know when you express your interest in participating.
I'm gathering interest at this stage, rather than announcing a confirmed talk schedule. Any talks would be arranged separately as plans develop, and giving a talk is not a requirement for exhibiting.
A big vision, starting with connections
The first festival is focused on bringing producers and makers together through the vendor marketplace and Hall of Breeds. I'd love to build on that foundation over time, adding more opportunities to learn and share as the festival grows. For now, I'm walking before I run, with the aim of making our first year welcoming, useful, and well organized.
Join the Hall of Breeds
The introductory exhibit fee is $25 for the two-day festival and includes space for a table-top or similar educational display. Any animal arrangements and additional pen fees will be discussed separately.
Complete the interest form to tell me about your farm, breed, plants, or fiber and what you'd like to bring. I'll follow up to discuss your exhibit, any animal accommodation needs, and confirm your space.
Complete the Hall of Breeds Interest Form
Let's bring the people who produce fiber together with the people who love to work with it.