ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Sheep farming experts from the United Kingdom are in Escanaba this weekend for the second annual North American Hill Sheep Show at the U.P. State Fairgrounds.
Now through Sunday, September 21, several varieties of sheep are being shown in the traditional U.K. style. Judges, including Charles Symons of Scotland, are evaluating the sheep on their walk, physical features, and breed characteristics.
“I’ve come over to judge the Scottish Blackfaces, the Border Cheviots, and the North Country Cheviots,” Symons said. “We would have the sheep loose running around the ring, then we would select them, then handle them, then put them in order of what we think are best to worst.”
The show has grown significantly since its inaugural year, with about 200 total entries. Symons says it is great to see events like this gaining traction.
“People that are here enjoy it, and it promotes the sheep industry,” he said. “Especially in America, it’s not a particularly large industry. The more that people can do to promote it, people will see it, and hopefully you enthuse other people to come and it grows.”
The show also features stock dog trials, a beer tent, a ladies’ tea on Sunday, children’s activities, and more than a dozen vendors selling genuine wool products. The North American Hill Sheep Show runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and admission costs $15 at the gate for those ages 9 and older.
For more information on the North American Hill Sheep show, visit nahillsheepshow.com.
