The prospect of a soggy Saturday did not dampen the crowds at Gore Place during this weekend’s Sheepshearing Festival.

Despite persistent April showers, the show went on as expected, and the sheep were sheared, albeit under a tent.

The morning’s deluge led to unexpected side attractions for the kids, like mud puddles that were perfect for splashing in on the side of a gravel road.

Inside the barn next to a few freshly-sheared sheep, Leslie Sullivan told a captivated audience about all she’s learned from her trade of sheep farming and sheep shearing. Sullivan shared tips from her days of raising fancy sheep breeds with the crowd in hopes of someone passing along her wisdom.

While the sheep were being liberated from their thick winter fleece, two history reenactment groups were basking in the glow of a big week in the limelight, thanks to the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride and the Battles of Concord and Lexington.

Making their way inland from the Charlestown Navy Yard were members of the U.S.S. Constitution’s 1812 Marine Guard – primarily a shipboard unit that takes part in battle and historical reenactments throughout the region. Suzanne Rodrigues, a member of the 1812 Marine Guard from Groton, Mass., said her regiment is undefeated and ready for battle. Rodrigues said that the experience of being part of history makes her “hair stand up on the back of my neck.”

Down the gravel road, members of Col. Bailey’s 2nd Massachusetts Regiment were folding up a tent in the middle of a downpour. The group, dedicated to actively preserving the heritage of the U.S. through living history, also had a big week, serving in reenactments on Battle Road in Lexington and the Battle of Memotomy in Arlington before making their way to Gore Place.

“It’s only the beginning,” said Katie Corrigan of Beverly, a member of the 2nd Massachusetts Regiment. “This is a big year. The Battle of Bunker Hill is coming up in a few weeks in Gloucester, then we’re off to Canada for a big reenactment.”

You might be wondering, “why is the Battle of Bunker Hill being held in Gloucester?”

“It’s the only place that has the space for it,” said 2nd Massachusetts Regiment member Michael Michalski of Cambridge. “There’s not much of a battlefield anymore in Charlestown.”

Photo gallery

Photo and text by Russell Adams

Bursts of rain didn’t damper the enthusiasm at the annual Sheepshearing Festival at Gore Place last Saturday, April 26. This cheerful celebration of springtime offered agricultural demonstrations, historical reenactors, artists, crafters, live music, dancing, circus performers, kids’ activities, food vendors, and more old-style fun.

Visitors watched artisans weaving, spinning, quilting, felting and blacksmithing, sang and danced along with traditional music, and learned about 19th-century life in New England.

But above all, the prized flock of Leicester Longwool sheep were the stars of the show. They were herded and sheared by skilled agricultural specialists, petted by children, and admired by all as they showed off their new spring haircuts.