Nothing beats a Saturday morning spent with sheep — lots of sheep.
On May 10th, Johan Vineyards held its third Lamb-a-Palooza against a pastoral Mid-Valley backdrop in Rickreall.
Or what we should say is the Sheep-a-Palooza. The event usually marks the beginning of a “lambing season,” also known as when a farm welcomes a flock of newborns, to those who don’t know the jargon.
But this year, much to the vineyards’s surprise, no ewes were pregnant and no lambs were born. Alas, the celebration must go on.
Nathan Wood, Johan Vineyard Manager, is passionate about working on a biodynamic vineyard and kids. So, he decided to combine the two with the lambs he took care of at work.
“Vineyards work really well with sheep because we’re dormant half the year,” Wood said. “They’re going to go through and while munching all that grass, they’re going to be fertilizing the vineyard. ... And they’re really cute”
Free to anyone under 21, sheep mulled around for selfies, play and pets alike. In years past, lambs even competed in an obstacle course. Those who tend the animals at Johan Vineyard say the sheep are better and more docile to pet compared to their energetic, young offspring.
Amid the animal frenzy were crafts for kids and wine flights for adults. Lunch was available for purchase from the local Alea Bakery.
About 100 people attended throughout the day.
If you miss it this year, event organizers are expecting baby lambs next year to make up for this year.
Johan Vineyards is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday-Sunday at 4285 N. Pacific Hwy W in Rickreall.