Claremore farm invites people to watch its sheep get yearly haircut

Summer is less than a month away, which means it is time for the sheep at Shepherd's Cross to get their yearly haircut.

"Usually our first 100 degree day is May 1st," said Dr. Diane Dickinson. "So, we want them to be rid of their winter coats by then."

The farm opens its sheep shearing up for anyone to come watch and calls it "Woolly Weekend." During the three days of the event they shear 350 sheep.

"We use the age old technique of shearing the sheep from the sitting posture, sitting or tipped, which is a natural posture for the sheep in the arms of the shepherd," said Dr. Dickinson.

All of the wool gets washed, dyed, and dried right on the farm.

"Then we pick it, we cart it, we spin or felt, and then we can weave, knit, crochet to finished product," she added.

Every step taken with great care. "We do not use chemicals, and we do everything just as naturally as we can," said Dr. Dickinson.

A true sheep to shawl experience. "We take the first shorn fleeces and we turn them into finished shawls by the bottom end of Saturday," she said.

The sheep shearing demonstrations are happening every half hour from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 24 through Saturday, April 26. The event is free, however, there is a $5 suggested donation.

There is also a petting zoo, tours of the farm, and fiber classes offered throughout the weekend. To pre-register for a class visit the Shepherd's Cross website.