For Immediate Release: 

April 17, 2025

Media Contact:

pr@osv.org

p: 508-347-0205

Expanded Sheep & Wool Festival Brings History, Craft, and Community to Bristol 


Bristol, RI – With just one month to go, Coggeshall Farm Museum is excited to share the return of its beloved Sheep & Wool Festival on Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever—with over 40 vendors and artisans from Rhode Island and beyond. 


Coggeshall Farm’s Sheep & Wool Festival is celebrating New England’s agricultural traditions with expanded offerings, more artisans, and a brand-new sheepdog herding demonstration that’s sure to delight the whole family.


“This event has become a true springtime favorite,” said Shelli Costa, Executive Director of Coggeshall Farm Museum. “We’re thrilled to welcome even more vendors, demonstrators, and guests this year. Whether you’re a fiber arts enthusiast or simply looking for a unique day out in Rhode Island, the Sheep & Wool Festival is a must-visit.” 


Highlights of the 2025 Sheep & Wool Festival include: 


  • Live sheep shearing and wool dyeing demonstrations 
  • Interactive spinning and weaving exhibits
  • The debut of Two Coves Farm sheepdog herding demonstrations
  • Shopping from 40+ vendors offering handmade items such as fiber goods, yarns, pottery, soap, and more
  • Children’s activities, fiber crafts, music, and animals
  • Food trucks serving seasonal fare
  • The return of the Sheep & Wool Showcase—a crowd-favorite community art display 


As part of the festivities, guests are invited to participate in the Sheep & Wool Showcase, an open art and fiber exhibit celebrating the creativity inspired by farm animals and the natural world. Submissions are welcome from all ages and skill levels, including fiber pieces, paintings, drawings, and mixed media. All entries will be displayed under a large open-sided tent during the festival, where attendees can vote for their favorite. The piece with the most votes will win a family membership to Coggeshall Farm Museum and other exciting prizes. Submissions are due by May 9, 2025, for details and guidelines visit https://coggeshallfarm.org/sheep-wool-showcase. 


Set against the scenic backdrop of Coggeshall Farm Museum, this one-day celebration offers something for everyone—from the seasoned crafter to the curious first-time visitor. 


The 2025 Sheep & Wool Festival is sponsored by BayCoast Bank, Grace Barker Health, DaPonte’s Landscaping Services, The Coffee Depot, Charles E. Millard Inc., and New England Genealogy Associates. 


For tickets, showcase details, or more information, visit: https://coggeshallfarm.org/event/sheep-wool-festival/ 

Wool processing at Coggeshall Farm Museum

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About Coggeshall Farm: Set on 48 acres of coastal farmland in Bristol, Rhode Island, Coggeshall Farm Museum recreates the daily experience of tenant farmers on a salt marsh farm through live interpretation, historic structures, heirloom plants, and heritage-breed animals. In January 2020, Old Sturbridge Village and Coggeshall Farm Museum began an innovative new partnership. Old Sturbridge Village is the largest outdoor history museum in New England, depicting a rural New England town of the 1830s. Old Sturbridge Village now manages the daily operations of Coggeshall Farm.