Size Matters

Recently my friend Joan asked me, "Norma, how much bigger would you say the New York Sheep & Wool Festival is than Vermont's?"

My original answer was "five times."  Then I realized that my knee-jerk answer was geared more towards my estimate of the relative acreages of the two fairgrounds, though even that is now a question in my mind.  As I was driving down to the festival on Friday, I was thinking more about the question and revised my estimate to 10 times larger.  And all day yesterday I was thinking and thinking and walking around and revising my estimate.  Perhaps 15.  No, maybe 20 times the size.  

I tried to capture in images the size of this madness as well as I could yesterday, but it's very hard to do.

 

 

This year, the crowds seemed smaller to me than last year. It was crowded enough, mind you, but the bathroom lines were not as long and the crowds maybe not quite as crushing. Last year's weather was stupendously gorgeous, and this year was nice enough, but very cold. Perhaps that means that the locals didn't come out in such huge numbers? I did notice that there seemed to be fewer tour buses parked on the far side of the field -- is it a function of the bad economy, or is that just my faulty memory? 

Also, Leigh and I decided to tackle the grounds in a different order than we have in previous years, and maybe by doing that, we avoided some of the unpleasantly huge crowds. I don't know, but I do know that despite the cold (thankfully I was dressed "just right" for the cold, whereas I know that a lot of people were suffering from it) yesterday was thoroughly enjoyable -- no question about it!

 

I've attended NY S & W for several years running, I've attended Maryland Sheep & Wool a few times, and the Vermont and New Hampshire festivals. Each one has its charms. They have some similarities, and some very substantial differences. New York's festival remains one of my favorites. It's big -- very big. The grounds are charming and extremely well appointed, the festival seems very well run, the town of Rhinebeck is beautiful, and though the crowds in the barns and vendors' booths can feel crushing at times, there is room outside to breathe and walk comfortably. 

There's an almost staggering variety of things to do and see -- quirky little oddments of entertainment such as the circus-style guy in black tights walking around on two big horses last year (I didn't see him this year) and the Bolivian musicians, to dog shows and various and sundry fiber demonstrations, and on and on.

And though it is big, it is still possible to run into several groups of friends all throughout the day and have comfy chats. And the food -- ohmygod, the food. There is everything from regular old fair food to gourmet lamb chops with sauteed spinach, artisan cheeses, gourmet coffees, wines and desserts.  

If you've never been to this festival, you really are missing out on something special. 

Comments

[Jean E.]

It wasn't raining or snowing.
Not a lot of people standing around in mud.
Great food and friends.
Looks like fun!

[Adelaide]

It would be my guess that the crowd was much smaller than years past, but I usually go on Sunday rather than Saturday and maybe they normally get more people on Sunday. I think a lot of local people who bring their kids were not there because I had the sense that there were fewer children than usual (not that that's a bad thing).

It's interesting to have the comparison with other festivals since this is the only one I've ever attended.

[gayle]

One of these years I'll make it to Rhinebeck...
Glad you had fun!

[Joannah]

Thanks for posting pictures/reporting on things I'm not sorry to have missed. I know there are reasons to be sorry, but it was not cold or damp in my apartment...and there were no lines for the bathroom. That's the upside of not going to Rhinebeck.

[(formerly) no-blog-rachel]

A friend of mine from grade school was serving/selling a couple of types of lamb and some rocquefort tarts at Rhinebeck this weekend. I didn't realize the food was fab too!

[Cheryl S.]

Waaaah! I wish I was there. But on the other hand, those huge lines of people make me shudder. Oh well, maybe one of these years I'll get there.

[Diane H.]

Thanks for the wonderful Rhinebeck travel log - I keep checking in for up to the minute info. Looking forward to a full report on what's new, interesting and, of course, what you brought home!

[Carrie]

That last sentence was just mean!

[Cookie]

Sounds like another wonderful year at Rhinebeck. I would love to go, but I doubt I could handle the crowds... or my temper.

[Katy "knitterpated"]

This was the first Rhinebeck I missed in several years, and I definitely felt some pangs about it yesterday. Am trying to make up for it by going to Stitches East on Friday, but it won't be the same. Next year!

[Joansie]

Now that my foot and leg are feeling much better, perhpas I'll make it to Rhinebeck next year. Stitches East is in Hartford this year and perhaps one of the reasons for a smaller attendance at Rhinebeck. Difficult to choose between the two is one must choose.

Glad you had fun.

[Renee]

I knew I've been missing out... thanks for reminding me.
Seriuosly though, looks like a terrific event and so worth the trip.

[Lara]

RUB IT IN, why don't you. Rub it in ;)

Sorry I missed you this year!!

xoxo

[donna lee]

It's the very hugeness that keeps me away. I don't feel comfortable in large crowds and the thought of all those people scares me.

I keep missing MDS&W because of various family issues. I keep telling myself, "next year" but who knows?

[Kathleen Anderson]

I have only gone to Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool and the festival in Maryland. The first few years that I attended the one in NY (1995 forward) it was smaller, very crowded, wonderful wool and I wasn't knitting then! I loved it all and I'm sorry I missed it this year.

[Judy]

Great to run into you. I was a Rhinebeck virgin this year,and had a great time. It will certainly be an annual event for me. Now.... what did you get???

[elizabeth a airhart]

goodness it turned 50 degrees here
in my part of florida i think
a lot of us were dressed like
the people in rinebeck

thank you for the writeup and a very
good one ta ta and good night

[Mary Fran]

One of these years I'll make it there...

[Sarah]

I just love reading about the fun time others have at NYS&W. I'm glad you enjoyed the adventure.

[Carole]

I think I was at a different Rhinebeck. ;-)

[Becky in VT]

Someday I will make it to Rhinebeck! But sadly this was not the year. Care to share your crowd-avoidance technique?

[Lucia]

I've been to MA, NH, and CT S&W and to the Maine Fiber Frolic and one or two local fairs as well as Rhinebeck. I love them all, but my favorites are Rhinebeck and Fiber Frolic, for opposite reasons: Rhinebeck has everything and everyone, and FF has (far) less stuff and fewer people, but what there is, is cherce. (They have a llama drill team. I rest my case.)

So I was just thinking, "Norma would love FF, and I would love to get her there. She lives in northern New England, and so does FF, so it can't be that far, can it?" I pulled up trusty Mapquest, and indeed you can get there from where you are.

In SIX HOURS.

So... um... nice blog you have here.

[Seanna Lea]

I loved going to Rhinebeck last year, but I went with a tour and this year I didn't even see a tour offered. I think that, in part, has contributed to the smaller crowd size you experienced.

Of course, I really wanted to go, but I just don't walk that fast!