Gore Place Cancels Sheepshearing Festival For 2nd Year Amid COVID

WALTHAM, MA — Gore Place will not hold its annual Sheepshearing Festival this year, the museum said citing the uncertainty still surrounding the pandemic.

"In deciding to not hold the festival, the museum staff cites continued uncertainty about public health due to the coronavirus pandemic," the nonprofit said in a statement.

This will be the second year in a row the museum will not hold the event because of the pandemic.

The museum and the many vendors who show up on the day of the festival will likely take a significant hit, museum officials acknowledged. But, they added, people's safety was higher priority.

The Sheepshearing Festival at Gore Place has been an annual event since 1987 and is the museum’s signature fundraiser, and one of the most popular agricultural festivals in New England.

During the festival, professionals demonstrate historical hand-blade sheep shearing, modern electric blade shearing, herding with dogs, traditional music and family activities.

Visitors can take a wagon ride, tour the 1806 Gore Mansion and shop among the more than 100 crafters and artisan handmade wares.

The museum has set April 23, 2022 as the date of the next Sheepshearing Festival.

Gore Place, like most around the city has had to adjust amid pandemic. This year the nearly 50-acre property, which includes a museum, walkways an authentic carriage house built in 1793, and a working farm, celebrated the 85th anniversary of the founding of it as a nonprofit last year.