Ewe know it will be fun--Sheep Shearing Day at Los Luceros

Sheep Shearing Day on Sunday, April 6, is a great opportunity to see Los Luceros Historic Site’s flock of Navajo-Churro sheep up close and learn how their wool is removed, processed, and turned into fiber art.

"Navajo-Churro sheep are a threatened heirloom breed that is unique to the Southwest.  This is a fantastic opportunity for people to learn about this beautiful breed and how it is integral to New Mexico history," says site manager Michelle Zupan.

The event takes place on "Dawn ’Til Dusk" day, when the site opens at 6:45 a.m. and closes at 7:30 p.m. The day will include hand-shearing of the sheep by Kerry Mower using traditional double-bow shears, hands-on wool skirting, a children’s story time and craft activity, workshops, and local food trucks Lazy Buffalo, Manko, Teriyaki Queen, and Fistful of Butter.

The schedule for the day:

7 a.m. Bird tour with Pajarito Environmental Education Center. Registration required.

8 – 11 a.m. Sheep shearing with Kerry Mower

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Hands-on wool skirting

10 – 11 a.m. Drop-spinning workshop. Ages 5+. Registration required.

Noon – 1 p.m.  Read with a Ranger story time and activity

1 – 2 p.m. Drop-spinning workshop. Ages 5+. Registration required.

3 – 4 p.m. Sheep drawing workshop. Ages 12+. Registration required.

Site Admission is free to all NM residents and $7/adults for non-residents. Free to children 16 and younger, Indigenous people, NM foster families, NM disabled veterans, and MNMF members. To register for the bird tour, call 505-662-0460. Workshops are free but require advanced registration by calling 505-476-1165.

The cover story of the spring issue of El Palacio Magazine is about Navajo-Churro sheep and is co-written by New Mexico Historic Sites staff from Los Luceros and Bosque Redondo Memorial. Learn more at elpalacio.org.

About Los Luceros Historic Site

Los Luceros Historic Site is located on a picturesque 148-acre ranch north of Alcalde, New Mexico, on the east bank of the Río Grande. The centerpiece of the site is a magnificent Territorial-style Hacienda that houses centuries of history within its walls (currently undergoing restoration until the fall of 2025). The property also includes a 19th century capilla (chapel), Victorian cottage, carriage house, guesthouse, and farm. Learn more at nmhistoricsites.org/los-luceros.