We love helping visitors make the connection between land, animals, agriculture and the clothes we wear, and one of the best ways to achieve that is through meeting the fibre animals themselves! Each year in the Hall of Breeds, a selection of sheep, alpaca, and other animals are on hand to represent this bountiful resource.
Thank you to the farmers who make the display possible! It is a big commitment of time and resources to bring their cherished animals to the Festival. The 2024 Hall of Breeds participants are: Forever Prairie Ranch, Luckystone Acres, Raspberry Roost, Spirit Sands Shepherds, Tribble Ranch, White Spruce Heritage Farm
Please treat the animals with respect and move and speak calmly around them. The animals have very specific dietary needs - do not feed them anything as it may upset their complex digestive systems.
No dogs are allowed in the Red Barn. No matter how well behaved your pet, their presence is perceived as a threat by these gentle prey animals far from the protection of their home flock, and we must spare them that stress.
Farms and Breeds in the Red Barn 2026
Valais Blacknose - Tribble Ranch
Learn all about the worlds “cutest sheep” and see their interesting long wool locks, yarn and other items.
Icelandic Sheep - Luckystone Acres
Meet these heritage sheep and see the beautiful Icelandic lopi yarn, felted goods, sheepskins, leather/leather goods, and knitting patterns.
BREED OF THE YEAR Alpaca - Fabled Forest Alpacas
Always a winner at the festival our Alpacas from Fabled Forest Alpacas. Come visit the Huacaya Alpacas and learn all about these beautiful animals and their luxurious fibre.
Fibre farm and wool mill in Eastern Manitoba Treaty 1 Territory - Long Way Homestead will have beautiful yarn, fibre, wool bedding, pellets and more on sale in the Red Barn.
East Friesian - Green Pastures Farm
East Friesian sheep originated in Germany in the Friesland region of Germany and the Netherlands - hence their name. They were used predominantly as a dairy breed and provided excellent milk for cheese! Green Pastures will have hand-stitched wool bedding and pillows available.
Fiola Farm is a family farm located on treaty one territory, in Ste. Geneviève raising Grass Fed, Pasture Raised sheep with Regenerative and ancestral practices. Owned and operated by Franco-manitobain, Red River Métis Christel Lanthier and Joey Fiola, they bring to this year's MBFF a variety of local farm made artisan wool goods. Felt will be front and center including making supplies such as 100% Pre-felt sheets, felting kits and roving for felting projects, large felted sheets for projects you dream of making.
Shetland Sheep - Manitoba Shetland Sheep Project and Forever Prairie Ranch
Our first breed of the year in 2023 a heritage breed from the Shetland Islands with more than 11 distinct colours within the breed and beautiful markings with their own unique names. Forever Prairie Ranch raises registered Shetland sheep, registered Quarter Horses, and exhibition quality poultry and ducks. They are bringing Shetland sheep to the Red Barn breed display; and representing the Manitoba Shetland Sheep Project with information on this wonderful fibre breed.
Wensleydale, Cotswold, Romeldale/CVM, and Romney - Spirit Sands Shepherds
The winner and namesake of our Gerry Oliver Award for Fibre Excellence - Gerry Oliver - will bring a beautiful selection of sheep breeds including long wool sheep. There will also be prize winning fleeces, raw and washed wool and fleeces, some felted wool and items, wool batts, white and coloured locks available.
Angora Rabbits - Hug a Bunny
Always a winner at the festival come meet the English Angora, Satin Angora, and a German Giant/English Angora cross rabbits from Hug a Bunny farm.
