Taos Link - Link to businesses in Taos

Each fall fiber artists and wool producers from the Rio Grande Region of the Rocky Mountains gather together to celebrate their traditions of survival, innovation and artistry. This is the Wool Festival at Taos, and you are most welcome to join the festivities! The wool traditions of the region go back to 1598 when Don Juan Onate led a small group of Spanish settlers to northern New Mexico, bringing with them the tough little churro sheep. The churros quickly became a major basis of subsistence both for these newcomers and for the indigenous people. Traditions of wool growing and wool artistry developed that are with us still! And these traditions are strengthened and complimented by a myriad of other wools and other artistic techniques that now flourish in the region - 403 years later! Celebrated with Music! With Food! And with a real grand Show and Tell! 60 Wool Vendor Booths whose proprietors are fiber growers and fiber artists from the region. Look for wool in more forms than you ever imagined... from more different sheep breeds than you knew existed. Exotic animal fibers too - Mohair, Llama, Alpaca, Angora Rabbit, Cashmere... Look for yarns of all sorts both handspun and millspun from regional fibers. And look for woven, knit, crocheted, felted wearables; tapestry and rugs; equipment and books... Shows, Contests, Demonstrations: Wool Fleece Show & Contest, Handspun Yarn Show & Contest, Fleece to Fabric Show and Contest, Garment and Home Accessories Contest, ongoing Demonstrations of how we work with our regional fibers, Kids-Hands-On activities... Sheep Showcase and Shearing Demonstrations Featuring some of the actual live critters from whom regional fiber artists obtain their raw material, and showing some of the critters getting haircuts. Auction, Music, Eats To keep us energized - a Silent Auction of wool treasures, ongoing live music by Taos minstrels, and Food Booths offering a gamut of delicious lamb specialties and gourmet snacks.