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Sheepdogs and mountain fun in Heber Valley
Watch elite sheepdog trials, browse artisan vendors, and explore Midway’s alpine valley between paddles on Deer Creek and hikes in the Wasatch.
Event details
The Soldier Hollow Classic Sheepdog Championship and Festival runs all Memorial Day weekend at the Olympic venue in Midway, Utah. You will watch elite handlers and border collies work wild range ewes across a steep open hillside in the Heber Valley, guiding them through gates and into pens with subtle whistle commands. With grandstand sight lines that stay open across the course, you can track every decision and correction as teams compete from the United States, Canada, and overseas.
Trials begin daily at 8:00 AM, and the tone stays focused and respectful while dogs are on course. Plan to arrive early, settle into the covered bleachers, and follow the action run by run as the sheep move across long distances and changing terrain. If weather rolls in, the competition continues rain or shine, so a light waterproof layer is worth packing.
When you want a break from the main field, the festival grounds give you plenty to do without leaving the venue. You can catch dog agility, sheep shearing, and raptor demonstrations, then browse the artisan market or spend the afternoon in the Bohemian Beer Garden. Food vendors typically start serving breakfast and lunch at 7:30 AM, and you will often hear the Salt Lake Scots bagpipe band between competition sets.
The first three days feature preliminary runs, with the double lift finals on Monday as the highest stakes round and the weekend finale. For where to stay, you have upscale lodges and mountain resorts in Midway minutes from Soldier Hollow, plus options near Deer Creek Reservoir or Jordanelle State Park, including regional vacation rentals and lakeside stays through Lake.com. For a smooth day, arrive by 7:30 AM for covered seating, bring camp chairs and blankets if you prefer the grass near the fence line, use high SPF sunscreen and a wide brimmed hat, buy tickets online to save over the gate price, and note that no spectator pets are allowed inside the venue. Hand stamps are typically available for same day re-entry.
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