No, nothing racy. For some reason the annual Wool and Fiber Market is called a Fiber Affair this year, its 25th.

The town has a big new events building and it was full of booths, at least 100, displaying all things related to spinning and knitting and fibers. There was so much, we didn't know where to look, and we certainly did not know what to buy. It was a nice break from all that color and stuff to go to the nearby buildings to see the various fiber-producing animals: sheep, goats, rabbits, alpacas, paco vicunas, and llamas. There was show judging and ribbons awarded, just like a county fair.

Also a sheep herding demonstration. The three sheep looked bored and the dogs waiting their turn looked like they couldn't wait to get out there and show everyone how much better they are at it than the current dog.

For some reason there were more yarn/spinning booths in the alpaca barn.

I was making mental notes of what to tell nittineedles about. One was a sign that said: free fleece skirting lesson. There were several models of drum carders for sale and we were trying to watch a demonstration. They slowly fed in a strip of wool and cranked the handle and we got tired of waiting for the result so wandered off. The demonstrator told the woman who was trying it: 'This WILL teach you patience.' But we were poor students.

There was some gizmo that was a sturdy triangular wooden support with a carding comb affixed to the top. They called it a gizmo, and a lady from the crowd kept saying 'it's about time' although I didn't know what was so special about it since I don't card wool.

Another booth advertised wool 'dyed in salt water using solar power.' There was a booth selling bison wool, and some selling undyed wool in the various colors from nature. Another one used only natural dyes like red and yellow onion skins and other plant materials to obtain the colors.

There were pottery yarn bowls, a wooden device to act as a yarn bowl, designer buttons, scarf pins, fancy hardwood knitting needles, all kinds of spinning wheels and accessories, books, and made up garments, shoes, hats, and purses. One booth sold all shapes and sizes of leather handles for purses and bags.

I'm sure there was a lot we missed.

We were there reasonably early in the day, and it was quite busy, with a few good sport husbands (like mine) following their wives, and carrying the purchases. There were some not good sport husbands looking bored and cranky. Nobody was loading up with stuff at those prices. If I had bought something he would not have carried it for me because he doesn't approve of spending money.