A Festival of Sheep 澳洲奔羊節

 Here they come! Run! Look out! It's...sheep? Yes, sheep! When it is compared to the Running of the Bulls in Spain, the Running of the Sheep at the Irish Woolfest in Boorowa, Australia is not so scary. It is actually fun and entertaining. Crowds gather to watch as four sheepdogs1 work together to herd2 a group of sheep down the main street. This is just the beginning of a fun-filled festival that includes everything from art shows to dog competitions.
牠們來了！快跑！小心！那是……羊嗎？沒錯，就是羊！跟西班牙的奔牛節相比，澳洲布洛瓦Irish Woolfest這場慶典上的奔羊活動就沒有那麼嚇人了。事實上，它反倒是趣味十足。群眾會沿路聚集，觀賞四隻牧羊犬合力在鎮中的主要大街上趕羊。這只不過是一個充滿樂趣的節慶的開場活動，這項慶典還有各種包羅萬象的節目，從藝術表演到狗狗競賽都有。
　　Another event that celebrates the start of the Irish Woolfest is the Blessing of the Fleece3. One sheep is shorn4 and its fleece is blessed by the three ministers5 who represent the major religions of the area. Then, there is live music and dancing. Of course, no one should miss the festival's parade. A family favorite at the event is the Icarus Street Performers. They perform acrobatics6 and dance in special costumes all while wearing stilts7. There is so much to see and do at the Irish Woolfest that it would be impossible to be bored. If this is just what you are looking for, make sure to visit the festival this year.
另一項為歡慶Irish Woolfest而揭開序幕的活動則為Blessing of the Fleece。主辦者會剪下一頭羊的羊毛，並由三位分別代表該地區各主要宗教的牧師來為羊毛進行祝禱。接著還會現場演奏音樂和表演舞蹈。當然，萬萬不能錯過的就是本節慶的盛大遊行。在遊行中深受闔家歡迎的一項表演就是Icarus Street Performers。這群街頭表演者會穿上特殊的服裝來表演雜技和跳舞，而這全都是他們在腳踩高蹺的同時進行的。Irish Woolfest上可供觀賞和從事的活動多不勝數，因此您絕對不會感到無聊。如果這正是您想找的精采節慶，那您今年一定要參加這項盛會。

@Building Your Vocabulary

★1. entertaining　a. 有趣的；有娛樂性的
Molly's son enjoys reading the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series because he finds it very entertaining.
茉莉的兒子喜歡閱讀《遜咖日記》，因為他覺得這套書很有趣。
★2. competition　n. 競賽，比賽
Jill entered a beauty competition and finished third.
吉兒參加一場選美比賽並獲得了第三名。
　3. bless　vt. 保祐，祝福
The two-day event was held to bless the harvest.
這場為期兩天的活動是為了祝福作物豐收而舉行。
★4. represent　vt. 象徵，代表
The white dove represents peace and hope.
白鴿象徵著和平與希望。
★5. perform　vt. 表演，演出
Many of Nina's family and friends came to see her perform on stage for the very first time.
妮娜的許多親朋好友都前來欣賞她的首次登台表演。
　6. costume　n.（特殊裝扮用的）戲服，服裝
The woman made a Halloween costume for her son instead of buying one.
那位女士幫她兒子製作了一套萬聖節服裝，而不是用買的。

 

 

 

 

 

 

@Phrases for Learning

★1. look out　　注意，當心
Look out! There is broken glass on the ground.
小心！地上有碎玻璃。
　2. kick off.../kick...off　　展開……，使……開始
Joey and his buddies kicked off their summer vacation with a trip to the beach.
喬伊和他的死黨以一場海灘之旅來為暑假揭開序幕。

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

@Extra Words

1. sheepdog　n. 牧羊犬
2. herd　vt. 牧（羊，牛等動物）
3. fleece　n. 羊毛
4. shear　vt.（給羊）剪羊毛（三態為：shear, sheared, shorn，本文中亦以過去分詞作形容詞用）
5. minister　n. 牧師；神職人員
6. acrobatics　n. 雜技表演，特技表演
7. stilt　n. 高蹺（常用複數）