BASQUE HISTORY
& CULTURE
 Basque tree carvings provide a visual autobiography of the sheep industry. |
On Saturday, June 14th, join us at Roberta McKircher Park for the
Sheep Folklife Fair. This year's fair particularly will highlight the contributions of the Basques to Idaho History. There will be traditional Basque music (the
Gaupasa Basque Folk Band), dancing (the Oinkari Dancers and you, too!), a traditional
lamb BBQ, and Basque games as well.
The Basques first started appearing in Idaho in the late 1800's. Leaving an often war torn homeland, many sought their fortunes in the California gold rushes. Although the search for gold didn't necessarily pan out, many were able to find good and plentiful work among the English and the Scots sheepherders of the west, although the work was new to most. Indeed, Basque immigration to the West in many ways facillitated the massive expansion of the sheep industry in the West of the late 1800's.
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Please join us for an incredible weekend of food, fun, culture and sheep!!! Visit www.trailingofthesheep.org for a full schedule of events and more information.
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