From racing sheep to free access to cultural treasures, Washington County will be abuzz with activity the first weekend in May as two beloved events return to celebrate the area’s rich heritage.
Kicking off with Running of the Wools on Saturday, May 3 and concluding with Free Museum Day on Sunday, May 4, the weekend offers residents and visitors alike a unique opportunity to engage with the county’s agricultural and historical legacy in a way that is unlikely to be forgotten.
Now in its third year, Running of the Wools has quickly become a local tradition, honoring Washington County’s deep agricultural roots with a whimsical twist — sheep racing down Main Street in downtown Washington. The event pays homage to the county’s prominent role in 19th-century wool production, when Washington led the nation in wool exports. With a focus on education and community spirit, Running of the Wools aims to inspire a new generation to appreciate the region’s farming heritage.
Beyond the races, the day is filled with activities designed to celebrate and educate. The festivities begin with a downtown breakfast crawl featuring almost 20 eateries and businesses such as Kouzina, Chicco Baccello, Soup’ed Up, The President’s Pub and more, all followed by a marketplace of regional food and craft vendors.
Educational stations and demonstrations — including live sheep shearing — add to the fun, offering visitors of all ages a closer look at the area’s agricultural past. The event concludes with the much-anticipated Championship Race that crowns the fastest sheep of the day, making Running of the Wools a signature event you will not want to miss even a moment of. (See runningofthewools.com for details.)
The fun does not stop after the last sheep crosses the finish line, however, because the following day marks the return of Free Museum Day. Held every two years in Washington County, visitors can explore five participating museums — the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, the Bradford House Museum, the Whiskey Rebellion Education & Visitors’ Center, the Duncan & Miller Glass Museum and Meadowcroft Rockshelter & Historic Village — completely free of charge.
Each museum offers a different window into the county’s past, from frontier life and glassmaking to trolley cars and the nation’s first rebellion. With over 19,000 years of Washington County history to discover at each of the five museums, it is a day the whole family is bound to enjoy.
Visitors will even receive a Free Museum Day Passport at the first museum they visit and, if stamped at three of the five participating museums, will be entered for a chance to win a $250 Tanger Outlets gift card.
Free Museum Day was developed by the Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency and is funded in part by the agency and a generous grant from the Jack Buncher Foundation.
Tickets for Free Museum Day are required and can be reserved at no cost at WashCoFreeMuseumDay.com.