Get Fleeced This Weekend At Bellevue's Annual Sheep-Shear

BELLEVUE, WA — We're not trying to pull the wool over your eyes here, the annual sheep-shearing event at Kelsey Creek Farm in Bellevue is one of the best spring events around.

The sheep-shearing happens this Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. In addition to getting to watch the farm's sheep get their yearly haircut, there will be food, wagon rides, crafts, pony rides, and plenty of other farm animals to see.

Here's more from the city of Bellevue:

The annual sheep shearing at the farm taps into a 5,500-year-old tradition that originated in Central Asia. Sheep shearing started in 3,500 B.C. when people learned to spin wool to make clothing and items such as blankets.

The Kelsey Creek event originated in the early 1990s, when ever-increasing crowds came to Kelsey Creek Farm Park each spring to watch the wool removal, a traditional farm practice. Each sheep produces six to 10 pounds each year.

It's free to watch the shearing, but other events might cost money, including food (and there's no ATM at the farm). This year, Bellevue is providing a free shuttle between the Wilburton Park-and-Ride, 720 114th Ave. Southeast, and Bannerwood Sports Park, 1630 132nd Ave. Southeast. Parking is free at both those locations.

And if you're lucky, you might get a chance to see a few spring farm babies. Kelsey Creek is expecting a litter of chicks to be born on Friday, and a few goat kids are coming on April 29.