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Department of Tourism
Ky. Breeders to Celebrate Alpaca Farm Days During Apple Harvest at Shaker Village
HARRODSBURG, Ky. – Over 20 alpaca breeders and more than 50 alpacas from farms across Kentucky will gather at Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill on Saturday Sept. 27, 2008 to celebrate National Alpaca Farm Days.
Alpaca Farm Days is a special fall festival being held for the second time during Shaker Village’s annual Apple Harvest weekend. During Apple Harvest, Shaker Village visitors will be able to enjoy hands-on activities with apples, including cider pressing, apple butter-making and apple drying. Visitors can also take a guided walk through the orchard and learn about historic apple varieties and small orchard management.
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday in the beautifully restored Shaker Village and its historic farm operation, both adults and children can experience alpaca shearing, felting, and spinning demonstrations, along with the opportunity to learn about these gentle animals and the incredible fleece they produce.
New to this year’s event will be an Alpaca Fiber Art Show, Sale, and Spin-Off Competition. Fiber Artisans are welcome to exhibit and sell their handcrafted items. Fiber Artists of all experience levels may enter to win cash and ribbons in the Spin-Off Competition.
All items must be made from at least 80% alpaca fiber. Raw fiber and yarn are available. Entry fee is only $10 per Novice or Advanced items and only $5 for Children’s entries. You do not have to be present to compete. Exhibitor registration and Spin-Off entry forms are available at www.kentuckyalpacaassociation.org or by calling Lindy Huber, 859.873.8352 or Todd Allen, 859.336.3075.
Kentucky alpaca farming was recently recognized in a proclamation signed by Governor Steve Beshear that classifies the alpaca as bona fide livestock. In addition, the governor noted the emerging value and increasing numbers of livestock and breeding farms dedicated to the raising of alpacas within the Commonwealth. Alpaca farming allows farmers to maintain green space and keep family farms in existence while anticipating the emergence of a national alpaca textile industry. There are currently over 90 alpaca farms in Kentucky.
Admission to the Alpaca Farm Day event is free. Shaker Village Park entry fee is $14 for adults, $7 for ages 12-17, $5 for ages 6-11, and free for children under age 6. Shaker Village hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information and directions to Shaker Village, visit www.shakervillageky.org.
For more details on participating farms, visit www.NationalAlpacaFarmDays.com. To learn more about alpaca farming in Kentucky, visit the Kentucky Alpaca Association’s Website: www.kentuckyalpacaassociation.org.
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The Kentucky Department of Travel, an agency of the Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet, exists to promote The Commonwealth as a travel destination, generate revenue and create jobs for Kentucky’s economy
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