Pico’s Pictures: Michigan Fiber Festival 2024
This is my second year at the Michigan Fiber Festival held at the Allegan County Fair Grounds. The fiber festival is a big deal for the knitters & crocheters in my life. It is important to take them so that I get more socks. (I still have not gotten my angora bikini briefs yet though). I brought my camera along with some new lenses that I’ve acquired since last year. You can compare and contrast my efforts from last year as I’ve been practicing. The fiber festival has many different areas to enjoy. There are animal competitions, workshops, demonstrations (like sheep shearing!), and of course a lot of vendors to satisfy all of your fiber arts needs.
Sheep Shearing
I enjoy watching the sheep shearing demonstration. The man explains the tools (which he claims are older than he is!) and the technique and how he sets the sheep on their butt and they kind of sit there. He has to push and pull those ewes into position and they are pushing and pulling back pretty hard. That means every once in awhile he nicks them with the clippers when they thrash. Fortunately, the wool has lanolin which helps the skin heal quickly. He holds them nice and firmly and while the the sheep bleats, it does not appear that they are in much distress.
Animal Competitions
Multiple competitions happen throughout the day. There are some metal bleacher to view the events. While some of the animals are cooperative, some most certainly are not! There are a lot of corrals in the barns where they keep sheep and goats. Last year, there was also a costume competition followed by a parade.
Cuties!
There are many cute animals to view at the festival. Most of the animals are friendly and will let you pet them (even if they are just looking for treats). Since the best fiber is made from soft and fluffy animals, you get to touch a lot of soft and fluffy animals! It still smells like a barn though, so hold your nose if you are sensitive.
Vendors and Demonstrations
The people at the festival are really some of the nicest I’ve met (or maybe the ladies just like flirting with me *fingers crossed* ). Everyone that I engaged in conversation was very kind and willing to chat about their business and experience. The displays can be quite impressive. Kris from Alk&me and the nice woman from Speckled Sun Fiber & Co were nice enough to let me take their photos. Speckled Sun has a camel!
Textures and Color Everywhere!
This year I brought a macro lens so I could capture details and I think I got some cool shots! I struggled with not taking very similar shots that I did last year, but there are the same vendors and subjects so that was a challenge.
Artsy Photo Time!
Friends, I know this is the moment you were waiting for. It is time for me to share the artsy photos that I took. This is really the best part so, thank you for making it this far!
What did I learn from this photo session? I chose way too many photos to share and edit. It was my intent to chronicle my experience with you so you could get a real sense of what awaits you at the Michigan Fiber Festival. I hope you enjoyed it!
Photos shot with Sony Alpha 7 IV.
