• Weavers and spinners work the wool to the live music of the Otter Brothers Band
  • Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22

Brooklyn, NY-May 12, 2011- The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Prospect Park Zoo announces the 17th year of Fleece Fest where the zoo’s five sheep will loose their winter coats for summer, local artisans demonstrate wool working, and the Otter Brothers play toe-tapping country music.
 
After a long winter, the sheep are ready to get their thick, wooly coats sheared off. Shearing expert Don Kading will explain the process and answer visitor questions before giving them their annual haircut. The art of felt making and finger knitting will demonstrate how wool goes from the sheep to the sweater.
 
“Fleece Fest is a great time for visitors to come to the zoo and see how sheep are sheared,” said Denise McClean, Director of WCS’s Prospect Park Zoo. “The artisans are fascinating to watch and the music makes the whole barn area very lively.”
 
This year the Otter Brothers will play music for the barnyard hoe-down.  Zoo goers can also make sheep-themed arts and crafts in the Animals in Art area.
 

Fleece Fest at WCS’s Prospect Park Zoo
Saturday, May 21, and Sunday, May 22


11 a.m. - 4 p.m.                     

Sheep-themed arts and crafts in Animals in Art area
 
12 – 4 p.m.                            
Wooly Wonders at the barn
Weaving, felt making, and finger knitting demonstrations
 
2 - 5 p.m.                               
Barnyard Hoe-Down
Get your toes tapping to live country music by the Otter Brothers
 
1:30 and 3:30 p.m.                
Sheep Shearing at the barn
 
12:30, 1, 2:30, and 3 p.m.      
Live Animal Encounters at the Animals in Our Lives Theater
 
11:30 a.m., 2, and 4 p.m.         
Sea Lion Feedings
 
For more information please visit www.prospectparkzoo.com

Contact:
Sophie Bass: 212-439-6527; sbass@wcs.org
Max Pulsinelli: 718-220-5182; mpulsinelli@wcs.org

The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Prospect Park Zoo - Open every day of the year.  Admission is $12 for adults, $9 for senior citizens, $7 for children 3 to 12, and free for children under 3. Zoo hours are 10am to 5pm weekdays, and 10am – 5:30pm weekends, April through October, and 10am – 4:30pm daily, November through April. Tickets are sold until one half-hour before closing. The zoo is located at 450 Flatbush Avenue. For more information call 718-399-7339 or go to www.prospectparkzoo.com


The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide.  We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world's largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo. Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony.  WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth.

Special Note to the Media: If you would like to guide your readers or viewers to a Web link where they can make donations in support of helping save wildlife and wild places, please direct them to wcs.org