Fleece Show & Sale

Welcome to the SAFF Fleece Show and Sale!

The Fleece Sale will open at 11:00 am, Friday, October 18, 2024 in the McGough building, up by Gate 1

This year we are adding breed specific shows for wool sheep, and an officially sanctioned Pygora show in addition to offering our Mohair show.

Wool Show
Mohair Show
Pygora Show

Producer Login

Our goal is for buyers to be able to find the perfect fiber for their projects with ease in addition to ample seating for the judging portion. As always, our Fleece shows are open to the public. Judge, Doris Powell, the Wool show starting at 9:00 am Friday. Judge, Elaina Kenyon, the Mohair show starting at 11:00 am Friday. Judge, Liza Sanford-Crane, for SAFF’s Pygora Breeder’s Association sanctioned show. Starting 1 pm Friday.

bags of fleece

New This Year!

  • Due to an increasing number of wool fleece entries, the wool show will start at 9 am Friday.
  • Pick up fleeces by Saturday, 6 pm
  • Fleeces will need to be in by Thursday. No fleeces accepted on Friday.

We look forward to seeing you at the show!

Links:
FAQforProducers
2023 TipsForFleeceShoppers

SAFF 2024 Handcrafters’ Fleece Sale Rules and Guidelines

  • Change Highlights For This Year:
    • The Fleece Sale will be Friday and Saturday only. No Sunday Fleece sale.
    • All Fleeces must be entered into Sale, no longer excepting fleeces for Show only
    • Show Fleeces and Sale only Fleeces must be at SAFF by Thursday at 7:30 pm
    • Fleeces must be picked up by 6 pm Saturday
    • Adding Sheep Breed Specific Fleece Shows
    • Pricing and registration time frame changes.

    Entry Guidelines

    • Sale Only Fleeces: Both full and half fleeces will be accepted in the Sale. Alpaca fleece is defined as a full or half blanket.
    • Fleeces Accepted: All types of animal fleece may be accepted for Sale Only as long as it is legal to do so in the state of NC. Wool, Mohair, Alpaca, Pygora, and Llama are examples of such fleeces. Angora fleeces may be sold in a bag containing a reasonable project size amount of fiber. See FAQ page for more information.
    • Fees: If you register online or by-mail prior to October 1, 2024 entry fee is $7.00 per fleece, if you register onsite on Thursday or Friday, entry fee is $10.00 per fleece.
    • Pricing: Sale price is set by the entrant should be express as price for whole or half fleece, and should be marked up by the 15% commission collected by SAFF. SAFF will not calculate fleece price, nor sell increments of fiber from an individual fleece. See FAQ’s for Fleece Producers for more information regarding fleece price and calculation.
    • Methods of Entry:
      • Online Registration: priority processing at fleece drop-off. Online Registration will cease operation at 11:00 pm October 1, 2024. After October 1 registration must occur onsite and increased fees will apply.
      • Mail in Registration: using Manual Entry Form-“fiber type”. Registration must be received by October 1, 2024. Priority processing at drop-off.
      • Onsite Registration: by bringing a filled out Manual Entry Form-“fiber type” to the Boone Building, These fleeces have lowest priority, expect a long wait and increased fees to $10.

    Mail to: Kelsey Foster, 550 Miracle Drive, Rutherfordton, NC 28139

    Email to: fleeceshow@saffsite.org

    • Drop-off:
      • All Fleeces must be dropped off at the McGough Building on Thursday between 9:00 am- 7:30 pm.
      • Mail-in Drop Off: Fleeces may be mailed/shipped to Kelsey Foster at the above address. They must be received no later than October 1. They can be preregistered online or accompanied by a printed Manual Entry Form for their fiber type. Fleeces must be picked up onsite, or must pre-arrange mail/ship return with Kelsey Foster  if they are not sold. Return cost will be at the producer’s expense.
    • Fleece Preparation:
      • For Wool, Mohair and Pygora- From the current clip (2024) and represent no more than 15 months growth.
      • For Alpaca-From the current clip (2023-2024) or the previous year’s clip (2022-2023) representing no more than 15 months growth.
      • Fleeces must be raw: unwashed.  Washed fleeces will be rejected
      • Properly skirted for processing, free of excessive vegetable matter, manure tags, second cuts, and pests. We reserve the right to reject any fleece deemed unsuitable for processing as presented.
      • Should be neatly presented for show,–not tied—in a clear or white plastic bag that is contains it comfortably without excessive strain.
        Alpaca fleece may contain corresponding seconds, but should be bagged separately inside the regular fleece. Seconds only will not be accepted.
    • Fleece Acceptance: The Fleece Sale Manager reserves the right to pull from the Show or Sale any fleeces with rot, breaks, pests, felting or other serious problems at any time during the show. We also reserve the right to arrange, group, and re-class fleece as appropriate and necessary. We also reserve the right to notate sales tag for any discovered observations and outright pull any fleece from the show for any reason without refund.
    • Fleece Promotion: Entrants may place promotional materials in with fleece, and are encouraged to do so. See FAQ’s for more information.
    • Price Changes: Prices may be changed at the Producer’s discretion. See front desk for a Price Change Form. We do not encourage price increases once the show has begun, On-site changes can be made at the time of drop off without form.
    • Show/Sale Fleece Pick Up: Entrants must pick up unsold fleeces by 6:00 pm on Saturday, Unsold fleece can be picked up during the show at any time. Please see Fleece Show Staff for check out.
    • Fleece NOT Picked up: Any fleece not claimed by 6:00 pm on Saturday, will become the property of SAFF.
    • Responsibility: SAFF is ultimately not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged fleeces.
    • Refunds: There will be no refunding of entry fees for any circumstance.
    • Sale Proceeds: Entrants will receive a check via mail for their fleece sales within 30 days of SAFF. Please make sure your contact information is complete and correct.

It is with profound regret that we must inform you that SAFF 2024 will not happen this year.  As you are probably aware, the Western North Carolina region has been severely impacted by tropical storm Helene.  As of this writing, many of our communities are still without power, water, and internet.  Cell service is spotty.  Some roads were washed away, others are still impassable,  and communities remain isolated.

The WNC Ag Center is being used as a shelter for those who have lost their homes as well as a major staging area for rescue efforts and infrastructure recovery.  They have cancelled all October events.

If you have signed up for a class, your refund will be processed as soon as we can do so.  Vendors and instructors will be contacted when communications and connectivity are restored.  Please be patient as each board member and their families are dealing with the aftermath of this event.  We are all safe.

If you wish to support your favorite vendors, please visit our website.  They would love to have your business!

Mark your calendars for October 24-26, 2025. We’ll see you then!

Sincerely,

Your SAFF Board