Trailing of the Sheep Festival

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Cultural & TraditionalHailey
Dates7–11 October 2026Confirmed listing
Duration5 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsThe festival grew out of a practical
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type
The story

Trailing of the Sheep Festival in Hailey

Every October, roughly 1,200 sheep are trailed down Main Street in Ketchum as the centerpiece of the Trailing of the Sheep Festival, a five-day celebration of Idaho's Basque, Scottish, and Peruvian sheepherding heritage across Sun Valley, Ketchum, and Hailey. Founded informally in 1996, it now draws more than 25,000 visitors for a folklife fair, wool classes, and championship sheepdog trials.

Sheep have grazed the mountains above Idaho's Wood River Valley since the late 1860s, when rancher John Hailey brought in the region's first flocks.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival grew out of a practical gesture: in 1996, ranchers John and Diane Peavey invited neighbors to walk alongside their flock through the Wood River Valley, partly to ease friction between sheep drives and a newly paved bike path, and partly to share ranching history before it disappeared

02

The mystery stays covered

That walk became an annual tradition and, by 1997, a formal multi-day festival

03

The city starts moving

Its centerpiece, the Big Sheep Parade down Ketchum's Main Street, is not a staged reenactment but part of a real seasonal migration, roughly 1,200 sheep moving through town as they always have

04

The water draws everyone in

Around it, a Folklife Fair and Lamb Fest celebrate the Basque, Scottish, Peruvian, and Polish shepherds who worked the valley's ranges, while a USBCHA-sanctioned Championship Sheepdog Trials event draws border collie handlers from around the country

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The Big Sheep Parade is not staged for tourists

Water and renewal

Living ritual

it follows the same seasonal migration route shepherds have used for generations

The sacred route

Living ritual

timed to when flocks are moved down from summer mountain range

The local code

Living ritual

The Folklife Fair honors the valley's layered shepherding heritage

Tradition 5

Living ritual

from nineteenth-century Basque and Scottish herders to the Peruvian shepherds who do most of the work today

Tradition 6

Living ritual

alongside Polish contributions represented at the fair

Tradition 7

Living ritual

Sheepdog handling

Tradition 8

Living ritual

judged on traditional herding elements using real range ewes rather than trained show sheep

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

7–11 October 2026

Getting around

For Trailing of the Sheep Festival, plan transport around the exact Hailey venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Layered fall clothing works best: a warm jacket or vest for cool October mornings and evenings, with a lighter layer underneath for milder midday temperatures. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Trailing of the Sheep Festival, stay near the part of Hailey you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map43.52 N, 114.32 WOpen in Google Maps

Hailey, ID

Nearest airportSUN — Friedman Memorial
TransportFor Trailing of the Sheep Festival, plan transport around the exact Hailey venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Trailing of the Sheep Festival, stay near the part of Hailey you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Hailey via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Hailey, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for October.Compare faresFestival gearLayered fall clothing works best: a warm jacket or vest for cool October mornings and evenings, with a lighter layer underneath for milder midday temperatures. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes matter for standing along Main Street during the parade and walking the fairgrounds at Roberta McKercher Park.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Trailing of the Sheep Festival?

Trailing of the Sheep Festival is listed for 7–11 October 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Trailing of the Sheep Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Hailey, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

5 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Hailey, ID

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLtrailingofthesheep.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates7–11 October 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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