NEW RULES AND CHANGE:  Show only fleeces are no longer allowed, and pricing changed in order to help better fund the show and reflect pricing in other major fiber festivals. Unsold fleeces to be picked up by Saturday, 6 pm.

LINKS: Manual entry form

Show Rules

Fleece Presentation:

Most be full fleece from one animal; including belly, leg, and neck fiber if it meets criteria of properly skirted (below). If Show/Sale fleece, may not be split in half by SAFF or the producer after competition. Must be sold as full fleece.

Fleeces must be:

• From the current 2024 clip.
• Represent no more than 6 months growth.
• Properly skirted—Free of vegetable matter, chaff, burrs, bugs, manure tags, cotted or matted locks, second cuts and excessively dirty fleece. CAUTION: Fleece is also judged on yield.
• Not Washed: No Washed Fleeces will be Accepted.
• Not tied in any way
• Must be properly placed in a clear plastic bag (available for sale at the desk) to be presented for show. Mohair fleeces do not have to be rolled.
• Have no other identifying marks on or in bag other than SAFF tags and identification.
• Show/Sale fleece may have promotional material in an unmarked, blank envelope in the fleece bag. Fleece Show Staff will display this material after the competition when fleece is put out for sale.

Judging:

• Each fleece may be entered in only one class.
• Fleece entries are limited two fleeces per class per Producer with a total overall limit of 12 fleeces per Producer entered in show.

• Classes may be formed, eliminated or combined and awards given at the discretion of the judge. Judge may move a fleece to another class if deemed appropriate.  If Judge does move a fleece to another class that results in having 3 fleeces from the same producer in the same class, the producer is still only eligible for two (2) awards in that class.  The third lowest ranking fleece will be dropped.

• Judging Criteria – All show fleeces will be judged on the basis of handspinning quality and character, stressing the following:

• Fineness of fiber: uniform throughout fleece.
• Feel and Handle: Amount of course fiber, kemp, or medullated fiber.
• Staple Length: Evenness throughout fleece.
• Twist and Crimp: well defined and uniform.
• Strength: No faults or breaks.
• Appearance: Brightness, luster, amount of grease.

• Yield and Density: Compactness of fleece combined with length equal weight of fleece.  Higher yielding fleeces most desirable.

• • Ribbons and premiums will be awarded to winners of each class as follows.  For a complete list of classes, see below.
    • 1st place-blue ribbon, $20 premium
    • 2nd place-red ribbon, $15 premium
    • 3rd place-white ribbon, $10 premium
  • Reserve Grand Champion Mohair fleece will receive a ribbon and $35 premium; Grand Champion Mohair fleece will receive a ribbon and $50 premium.
  • Premium Awards will be paid out by check and mailed within 30 days after show ends.
  • Judging remarks, and ribbons will be given to Producer at checkout/pick up.  Judging remarks will also be posted on Producers Fleece registration after the show.  Show Winner Results will be posted on the SAFF website following show.