A message from DCSWGA regarding COVID 19
and the NYS Sheep & Wool Festival:
We, as a team, are taking COVID very seriously and have been in discussions throughout the year about how to make this event happen safely amidst the ongoing pandemic.
The Fairgrounds sets the policy for the events held there and they are following protocol from NYS, the Dutchess County Health Department and CDC. Their COVID information can be found by clicking here.
We are navigating this challenging time the best we can - limiting attendance numbers, encouraging masking, making all barns and buildings one-way, monitoring crowds in the buildings, keeping all doors open, spacing vendors 10 feet apart (with many vendors moved outdoors). We've put workshops online and eliminated children's activities and the Skein and Garment Competition. We have also given more space to the Fleece Sale and Merritt Books' authors program.
Our vendors have been given the option to vend at the Fairgrounds, to vend virtually, or to elect to wait until 2022 to vend.
To put it mildly, this is a difficult time and nothing is definitive - but please know that this issue is top of mind for us as organizers of the event.
If you have questions or concerns about this evolving situation, please reach out to our Festival Manager.