Published April 8 2025
The annual sheep shearing event at Kelsey Creek Farm Park resumes this year, tapping into an ancient tradition that originated in Central Asia. The professional shearers taking the park’s stage on April 26 may have electric shears, but the results won’t differ from Uzbekistan in 3,500 B.C. or a typical Bellevue farm in the 1920s.
Bellevue’s sheep shearing celebration, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., on Saturday, April 26, will be at Kelsey Creek Park, 410 130th Pl. SE, rain or shine. Activities at the event sponsored by Amazon will include spinning demonstrations, children’s activities, tractor-pulled wagon rides, pony rides, animal viewing areas and food.
From wool to yarn to sweater, the sheep shearers will explain the shearing process and share shearing stories. The buzz cuts keep them cool during the summer.
The event originated in the early 1990s, when ever-increasing crowds gathered at Kelsey Creek Park each spring to watch the sheep being shorn of their winter coats, a traditional farm practice. Each sheep produces from six to 10 pounds of wool each year.
Admission is free. Food is also available for purchase. No ATM is available on-site. Free parking and shuttle service is available to and from the Wilburton Park-and-Ride, 720 114th Ave. SE and Bannerwood Sports Park, 1790 Richards Road.