Mesta Meadows is excited to announce the long-awaited fourth annual Ozark Highland Sheep and Fiber Festival. Located one mile west of Glenallen, the event is set for March 21 and 22 in the captivating Ozark Highlands.
This year’s event is set up for a unique experience for attendees at the only Sheep, Fiber, and Craft festival which is held on a working ranch. Attendees can participate in an extensive list of activities celebrating the history and culture of the sheep and wool industry and the fiber community. Attendees will have the opportunity to navigate the Mesta Meadows sheep ranch and see real sheep shearing in action with Mafalda Weathermon and assistant Monti Weathermon. Attendance for the festival is free to all.
Key Highlights of the Festival:
• Sheep Shearing with Mafalda and Monti Weathermon: Oddball Homestead and Shearing will host a live shearing demonstration at the Ozark Highland Sheep and Fiber Festival, showcasing their expertise in high-quality fiber flock shearing. Owners Monti, MJ Weathermon specialize in careful shearing techniques that prioritize animal welfare and fleece quality. MJ, the primary shearer, recently completed advanced shearing school in North Dakota, and both Monti and MJ are American Sheep Industry certified with over 16 years of combined experience. Their skills cater to the fiber artisan community by minimizing nicks, avoiding second cuts, and preserving fleece value. Based in Bransville, Missouri, Oddball Homestead is dedicated to excellence in small flock shearing.
• Petting Zoo: Load up the kids and immerse yourself in the festival petting zoo, featuring some of your farm favorites like goats, lambs, and sheep. Meet the ranch’s youngest Scottish Highland cow, Rory, while you’re there. The petting zoo will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days of the festival and is free for all attendees.
• Live Music: Get ready for live music at this year’s festival with the return of the Green & Grassy Band. Known for their folk and country tunes, they’ll be setting the stage for a lively atmosphere from 2 to 5 p.m. each day of the event.
• Hands-On Workshops and Class Demonstrations: Discover a variety of vendor booths featuring unique crafts, attend spinning classes, and watch artisans showcase their skills.
Educational Classes:
• Spinning Arts Using a Blending Board
• Wet Bag Felting
• Spinning with a Spindle
• Supported Long Draw
• Make a Dream Catcher
• Felt Hat Painting
• Entertainment, Demonstrations, and Activities:
• Friday 2-5 PM, Saturday 2-5 PM: Music by Green & Grassy
• Friday and Saturday All Day: Petting Zoo
• Friday 10-5 PM, Saturday 10-5 PM: Shearing
• Friday 10-3 PM, Saturday 10-3 PM: Photobooth (in the petting zoo)
• Friday 10-3 PM, Saturday 10-3 PM: Kid and Family Games
• Friday and Saturday All Day: Food Booth
• Friday and Saturday All Day: The Mason Jar Store
Admission: Free
Venue: Mesta Meadows Ranch, Highway 34 1 mile west of Glenallen, Missouri. For accurate directions, type “869F8X53+8WJ” into Google Maps.
Sponsors:
Ava Craft Center 2.0, Thamke Tales, Bollinger County Coop, Crader Distributing, The Bank of Missouri, Culligan, Missouri Sheep Producers, EC Reeds, Twin City Pharmacy
Vendors:
Ava Crafter Center 2.0, Thamke Tales, Shenanigear, Earth and Stone Pottery, Angry Sheepdog Studio, The Heirloom Farm LLC, M&N Hat Barn, Patchwork Acres Goat Milk, Becca Bear Hobbies, Kinsey Kitchen, Fox Stoneware, Grateful Gatherings, Sticks and Stones, MO Farm Bureau, Good Shephard Fiber Mill, Culligan, Missouri Sheep Producers, 9 Dogs, GUNASH LLC, Ready Go RedHawks, Knight Crafts and More, 1-Up Foodtruck and Catering
About Mesta Meadows:
Owned by Terri and Ed Crowley, Mesta Meadows is a family-run sheep ranch known for raising Cormo and Rambouillet (French Merino) sheep. Beyond wool production, the farm also offers pasture-raised meats, including beef, lamb, pork, poultry and sheep diary products. These products are available at The Mason Jar Store, the farm’s on-site retail shop.
Connect with the Festival
Press Contact: Ed Crowley
Phone: (859) 536-0767
Email: ed@mestameadows.com
Zoe Calhoun
Phone: (573) 318-8154
Email: zoerhea00@outlook.com
About the Ozark Highland Sheep and Fiber Festival
For four years, Mesta Meadows has hosted the Ozark Highland Sheep and Fiber Festival, offering visitors an immersive look into the region’s rich sheep and wool industry. Set against the scenic Ozark Highlands, the festival features live sheep shearing, artisan demonstrations, crafts from local and regional artisans, hands-on education classes, and lively musical performance. With a variety of activities for the family, the event provides a fun and informative experience for all attendees.
