Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials | September heritage festival in Meeker, CO

Every September the best sheepdogs from around the region, country and internationally, descend on the rural northwest mountain town of Meeker. Five days of sheepdog herding pursue, along with western festivities.

The 32nd Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials kicks off on Wednesday, September 5th and runs through Sunday, September 9th, 2018. Thy compete for a purse and added money totaling $25,000. More than 375+ volunteers help with the event each year.

September heritage festival in Meeker

Watch the 32nd annual Meeker Classic, complete with bleacher seating. This late summer heritage festival encompasses dogs, sheep, education, art, history and culture. 130 handler/dog teams compete in 3 days of preliminaries trials. The top 30 teams move onto Saturday’s Semi-Finals. The Finals on Sunday feature the best 12 dogs.

Any herding dog is welcome at the Meeker Classic, although the Border Collie dominates the scene. The dogs were bred to gather sheep, and not drive them, so they don’t nip or bark, just work smoothly and quickly.

Free courtesy van shuttles are available all festival week, from Wednesday through Sunday. It picks up and drops off at several locations around town.

Events at Meeker Classic

Wednesday:

7 AM Preliminary Runs begin & run all day, 44 dogs
9 AM Food & Artisan Vending Festival – ongoing
9 AM Demos & Presentations – On site (Border Collie Handling, Sniffer Dogs,
Navajo Weaving, Spinning & Felting, Celtic Traditions, Music & Story Telling)
9 AM – 4PM Art Show – on site at historic Wilber Barn

Thursday:

7 AM Preliminary Runs begin & run all day, 44 dogs
9 AM Food & Artisan Vending Festival – ongoing
9 AM Demos & Presentations – On site (Border Collie Handling, Sniffer Dogs,
Navajo Weaving, Spinning & Felting, Celtic Traditions, Music & Story Telling)
9 AM – 4PM Art Show – on site at Wilber Barn
5:30 – 7:30 PM 2018 International Art Contest Reception (Wilber Barn Trial Site)

Friday:

7 AM Preliminary Runs begin & run all day- 42 dogs
7 – 9 AM Pancake Breakfast, Rio Blanco Masons (Trial Site)
9 AM Food & Artisan Vending Festival – ongoing Educational Exhibits & Demonstrations ongoing in Vending & Education Area, Border Collie Handling, Sniffer Dogs, The History of Caring for your Hat, Leatherwork, Dutch Oven Cooking, Spinning, Weaving, Bag Piping, Great Kilt, Wool Waulking & Story Telling Demonstrations, Navajo Weaving
9AM – 4 PM Art Show – on site at historic Wilber Barn
11 AM – Dog Agility & Flyball Demonstrations Begin – Schedule Posted at Agility field
12 – 5:30 PM PEO Quilts In the Country – Fairfield Center (3rd & Main)- ALL NEW QUILTS
6 – 9 PM Art, Wine & Cheese Meeker Style – Downtown Meeker Wet your whistle and shimmy your kilts at Smoking River Studio Arts…enjoy a back country celebration featuring music, art and Colorado cheeses and wine provided by Blanco Cellars.

Saturday:

7 AM Semi-Final Eliminations – all day 30 dogs (first 16 dogs before Lunch)
7 – 9 AM Pancake Breakfast, Rio Blanco Masons (Trial Site)
9 AM Food & Artisan Vending Festival – ongoing Educational Exhibits & Demonstrations ongoing in Vending & Education Area, Border Collie Handling, Sniffer Dogs, FFA Petting Farm, Spinning, Navajo Weaving & Traditions, Pottery, Leatherwork, Braiding, Dutch Oven Cooking, Border Collies, Great Kilt, Wool Waulking & Story Telling Demonstrations – Educational Tent, FREE Art Programs for Kids – Education Tent
9 AM –5:30PM PEO Quilts in the Country, Fairfield Center (3rd & Main)- ALL NEW QUILTS
9AM – 4 PM Art Show – on site at historic Wilber Barn
9:30AM – 3PM Dog Flyball &Agility Demonstrations – Schedule Posted at agility field
12 – 1:00 PM Lunch Break (approximate time)
12:30 – Sheepdog Demo – Trial Field
4:30 – 8 PM Jammin’ Lamb Festival – Lamb, Music, Culture & Beer Garden on the Square (Downtown Meeker – on Main Street)
7 PM Handler’s Challenge – Jackpot Arena Trial, Rio Blanco County Fairgrounds- fun watching for all!

Sunday:

7 – 9 AM Pancake Breakfast, Rio Blanco Masons (Trial Site)
8:00 AM Opening Ceremony
8:30 AM Final Round – 12 dogs – (First 6 dogs run before Lunch)
9 AM Food & Artisan Vending Festival – ongoing Educational Exhibits & Demonstrations ongoing in Vending & Education Area, Sniffer Dogs, Colorado Comfort K-9’s, FFA Petting Farm, History of the Hat, Spinning, Navajo Weaving, Pottery, Leatherwork, Braiding, Dutchoven Cooking, Border Collies, Great Kilt, Wool Waulking & Story Telling, FREE Art Programs for Kids – Education Tent
9 AM – 4 PM Art Show – Historic Wilber Barn, on site
9 AM – Noon Dog Agility Demonstrations – Schedule posted at agility field
12 – 1:00 PM Lunch Break – Woolgrowers Barbeque (approximate time)
12:30 – Sheepdog Demo – Trial Field
1:30 PM Final 6 Dogs Run
4:00 PM Awards Ceremony following final run (approximate time only)