(Left): Photo from 1944 Lamb Days celebration. (Top Right): Watching little kids hang on to rambunctious sheep is a staple of Lamb Day. (Bottom Right): Lamb sandwich preparation takes many hands at a previous Lamb Day in Fountain Green. This year’s celebration is Friday and Saturday, July 16, 17.
FOUNTAIN GREEN—Once known as “Wool City” and “The Richest Little City Per Capita in the U.S.,” Fountain Green boasted 100,000 head of sheep. But the little town saw hard times during the Great Depression with lamb selling at four cents per pound and wool at ten cents. It made sense to promote local consumption and the annual celebration was born.
The 2021 Lamb Days’ celebration on July 16-17 has already begun with the town’s sports fans stepping up to bat for the four-day softball tournament. The tournament will convene with one team taking the championship, so be sure to roll out blankets and put up chairs for the staple event held on Saturday at 6 p.m.
Before watching players make rounds on the field Friday night, a craft fair featuring local residents will be available from 3–9 p.m. at the park.
Guests will be pleased to find the traditional Friday night Lamb Dinner will be served at $10 a plate. Dinners will be prepackaged with lamb, lemon rice, salad and sourdough scones, an all-time favorite. Dinner will be served from 5-8 p.m. at the park.
Preparations for the lamb pits used to cook the lamb have already begun.
“A lamb in a pit is better than a steak on a grill,” Ivory said, quoting past pit preparers.
New to the celebration is the corn-hole tournament on Friday from 5-9 p.m. at the northwest corner of the park. Games will last 30 minutes and cost $10 per team. For questions or to register contact Katherine at 469-0220.
After the lamb feast, families can spread themselves across cozy blankets to view a kid’s movie in the park at 9 p.m.
The celebration will continue on Saturday with the Ewe Stampede fun run. Registration must be done online and will close Friday night. You can pick up your shirt at the park at 5:45 a.m.to 6:15 a.m.
The race will start at 6:30 a.m. on the turn off road from to the highway to the fish hatchery. Racers are responsible for finding a ride to the starting line. For questions please contact Chelsea at 801-885-7245.
A chuck wagon breakfast will be served from 7-9 a.m. for $6 a plate and guests may watch the flag ceremony during their meal at 7:30 a.m.
The craft fair will continue from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday.
Between shopping for local goods, visitors can watch the Mammoth Parade on State Street at 10 a.m.
Activities at the park will begin a noon.
As lunchtime rolls around, visitors won’t have far to travel to find a meal. Lamb Sandwiches will be available for sale in the east bowery at 1 p.m.
The all-time crowd favorite, Mutton Bustin’ will begin at 3 p.m. Registration and release forms must be done online to secure spot for rider’s ages four to seven and weighing less than 55 pounds.
A firework finale at 10 p.m. will paint the night sky in remembrance of the remarkable path the town people took to persevere through tough times and maintain a strong community.
