A Shepherd’s Extravaganza 2026
Keeley Richardson
Founder and Chief Fiber Officer
I frequently thank my lucky stars that my family and I arrived in this wonderful part of the world – it’s a fiber lovers dream! Yarn stores. indie dyers and the most fascinating fiber producers, all within a short distance from each other. Our fiber events calendar also brings so much joy with gatherings and festivals of all sizes to delight and educate throughout the year. The Shepherd’s Extravaganza is a small but perfectly formed fiber event that takes place each April in Enumclaw. It has been on my yarny radar for some time, so this year I made sure I carved out some time to make a day of it to see what this fiber celebration is all about.
The clue is in the name with this charming event – you will find an abundance of fleece and fiber to ensure a Shepherd’s delight throughout the weekend. From fleece to skein, there is something for everyone. You can pick up a beautiful fleece from one of the regional breeders, with sales running throughout the weekend once the competition judging is complete. For those looking for something very special you can bid on the best in class fleeces in a silent auction.
The abundance of beautiful roving on offer got me thinking that it is time to pick up my drop spindle once again and embark on a yarn spinning adventure. I was intrigued and inspired by the variety of fiber from all types of herds, beautiful blends both in natural colors and dyed in a kaleidoscope of color. There were also plenty of more luxurious fibers to choose from – camel, yak and angora to name a few.
Lovers of more natural, small batch, non-superwash yarns had plenty to choose from at Shepherd’s Extravaganza. I arrived early on Sunday as the second day was just beginning and the event was not yet in full swing, so I was able to talk to many of the vendors about their flocks, the fiber they produce, and the yarns they create. It is always a treat to pick up a truly local skein of yarn and a bonus if you know the name of the sheep it came from.
There was also plenty for fans of vibrant, quality superwash yarns – a rainbow of color to tempt and delight that is always hard to resist!
If I had been more organized this year I would have booked myself in to a class. Tunisian crochet, needle felting and spinning classes are just a few that were on offer. Definitely something to plan ahead for next year!
Even though I am not in the market for a spinning wheel (yet), it was fascinating to browse the used equipment sale. From carding machines through to looms, the show is a great place to pick up a pre-loved bargain if you are looking to build your fiber skills and add to your toolkit. There were also a few bags of consignment yarn – tempting bargain finds that were perfect for building a yarn stash.
If you are visiting the Shepherd’s Extravaganza and not taking a class, two to three hours should be enough to see everything, although I highly recommend taking time to talk to the vendors who are all experts in their fields with interesting stories and advice to share, (I’ll be featuring some of them on The Woolpack in future articles).
As my husband had once again come along for the ride, we rounded out our morning with a wander around the shops and stores followed by lunch in charming downtown Enumclaw. Top tip: the burger at the Rainier Bar & Grill is highly recommended, and their exemplary bread pudding served on a sizzling skillet with caramel sauce and ice cream is not to be missed.
To find out more about the Shepherd’s Extravaganza and its exhibitors, take a look at their website and be sure to give them a follow on Facebook and Instagram, so you can mark your calendar for next year. The good news is that many of the vendors I spoke to will be exhibiting at Fiber Fusion in Monroe the first weekend in June. A visit to Fiber Fusion is always a wonderful idea – more on that later…
