MIDDLEBORO — Things got wild and wooly at Soule Farm Saturday, May 20, although the situation grew a bit less wooly as the day progressed.

Sheep were sheared of their winter coats as part of the activities during the annual celebration of Sheep Day.

Taking the shears to the animals does not hurt them, sheep shearer Andy Rice of Halifax, Vt. reassured the crowd. But the shearing frees them of a thick coat and provides wool for a variety of products. 

Johnny Pinney, 7, of Whitman, patted the sheep and said he could feel the lotion-like substance, lanolin, which is a natural oil on the skin and in the fiber of sheep’s wood. 

This substance serves as a waterproof raincoat of sorts to the animals.

That was handy to have Saturday, as rain grew in intensity as the day went on.

But that didn’t stop people from having snacks, listening to music and watching wool being spun on a traditional wheel. 

Zenas Hsu of Brockton and his daughter Arwen Hsu, 2, planted wildflower seeds in a small container they could bring home to plant.

Arwen loves zoo animals, her father said, so this event offered a chance for her to meet some more familiar friends. 

“I want her to see the animals that help us, like sheep and goats,’’ he said.