Ozark Highland Sheep, Farm & Fiber Festival 2027

A day on a working sheep dairy in the Missouri Ozarks. Meet the flock, shop local makers, watch fleece become yarn, and finish with a scoop of sheep's milk ice cream made right here on the farm.

Welcome to the farm

Every year we open the gates at Mesta Meadows Ranch and invite our neighbors to see where their food and fiber come from. We milk our own flock of dairy sheep, raise lamb and Scottish Highland Cattle, and make Atelait sheep's milk ice cream in our creamery just up the hill from the pasture.

The Ozark Highland Sheep, Farm & Fiber Festival brings it all together for one day. Shepherds, spinners, weavers, woodworkers, bakers and growers from across Southeast Missouri and beyond set up alongside our barns. You can watch a sheep get sheared in the morning and take home yarn spun from a fleece just like it by afternoon.

Bring the kids, bring your knitting group, bring an empty cooler. There is something here for anyone who loves good food, handmade goods and open country.

What to expect

Meet the flock. Get up close with our dairy ewes and lambs, and learn how a sheep dairy works from the people who run it.

Sheep shearing demonstrations. Watch a fleece come off in one piece, then follow it through skirting, washing and carding.

Fiber arts in action. Spinners, weavers, felters and knitters demonstrate their craft all day. Many will let you try a wheel or a loom yourself.

Herding dog demonstrations. See working dogs move sheep across the pasture on a whistle.

Makers' market. Shop yarn, roving, raw fleece, woven goods, pottery, woodwork, soaps, candles and more, all from independent makers and family farms.

Farm-fresh food. Atelait sheep's milk ice cream, Mesta Meadows lamb and Wagyu beef, plus local honey, syrups and baked goods from our partner farms. Bring a cooler for meat to take home.Kids' corner. A petting zoo, wool crafts and farm games for the little ones.

Live music. Local musicians on the lawn through the afternoon.

Plan your visit

When: Friday, May 21, 2027 - 12:00-4:00 Saturday, May 22, 2027 - 9:00-4:00

Where: Mesta Meadows Ranch, 12005 State Highway 34, Glenallen, MO 63751

Admission: No Charge

Parking: Parking is $5 per car. 

Follow the festival signs from Highway 34.

Questions: (573) 238-8434 · ed@mestameadows.com

Good to know.

• Wear sturdy shoes. This is a working farm with grass, gravel and the occasional surprise underfoot.
• Most vendors take cards, but bring some cash for smaller booths.
• Please leave pets at home. Our flock and our guard dogs thank you. Service animals are welcome.
• Wash stations are near the animal areas. Please wash hands after visiting the sheep.
• Bring a cooler if you plan to take home frozen lamb, beef or ice cream.
  

Calling all vendors

We're looking for shepherds, fiber artists, makers and farm-food producers to fill the 2027 makers' market. If you make it, grow it or raise it yourself, we'd love to have you.

    Why vend with us

• A crowd that came on purpose. Our visitors are knitters, spinners, home cooks and families who want to buy direct from the people who make things.
• A festival built around fiber and farm life, so your work fits the day instead of competing with flea-market goods.
• Promotion on our website, social media and partner channels in the weeks before the festival.
• A farm host who has worked the vendor side of farmers markets for years and knows what makes a good booth day.

     Who we're looking for

• Fiber: yarn, roving, raw and washed fleece, batts, dyed goods, spinning and weaving tools
• Finished fiber goods: knits, weaving, felting, rugs, quilts
• Livestock and farm: sheep and goat breeders, shepherding supplies, farm services
  Handcrafts: pottery, woodwork, leather, soap, candles, jewelry, art
• Farm food: honey, syrups, preserves, baked goods, produce, cheese and meat (food vendors must hold the permits their products require)
• We give priority to handmade and farm-raised goods. Resale and imported products are not accepted.

     How to apply

• Fill out the vendor application at [APPLICATION LINK].We review applications on a rolling basis and keep a balanced mix of vendors, so apply early.Once accepted, you'll get a confirmation and payment link. Your spot is held when the fee is paid.
• Application deadline: March 1, 2027
• Questions about vending? Call (573) 238-8434 or email ed@mestameadows.com.

Sponsors and volunteers

Become a sponsor. Sponsors are recognized on our website, festival signage and social media, with tiers to fit every budget. To receive our 2027 sponsorship packet, call (573) 238-8434 or email ed@mestameadows.com. 

You can also sign up here [APPLICATION LINK].

Lend a hand. Volunteers help with parking, greeting, kids' activities and vendor setup. Every volunteer gets a festival T-shirt and a free scoop of Atelait ice cream. [VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP LINK]

Frequently asked questions

• Is the festival rain or shine? Yes. Barn and tent space keep most activities going in light rain. In severe weather, we'll post updates on our website and social media.
  
  
• Can I bring my dog? Please leave pets at home to keep our flock calm and healthy. Service animals are welcome.
  
  
• Is it stroller and wheelchair friendly? The main areas are on level grass and gravel. Some barn areas have uneven ground. Call ahead and we'll help plan your visit.
  
  
• Is food available? Yes. Food vendors, Atelait ice cream, and farm-fresh lamb and beef to take home.
  
  
• Can I buy meat and ice cream to take home? Yes. Bring a cooler. Our on-ranch store will be open during the festival.
  
  
• Can I visit the farm outside the festival? Our on-ranch store and online ordering are open year-round. Visit mestameadows.com for hours and pickup options.