Come Meet the Alpacas! Saturday, September 27th, 10 am to 4 pm

On Saturday, September 27th from 10am until 4 pm, The Alpaca Hacienda will open its doors to the community in celebration of National Alpaca Farm Days. The event is free and sure to delight animal lovers of all ages.

Visitors will be able to see and hand feed an array of gentle alpacas, raised for their cashmere-like wool, and learn about their colorful history and care. Fiber artists will demonstrate the carding and spinning of alpaca fiber into luxurious yarns at various times throughout the day, and a mini-seminar entitled “So, What’s An Alpaca?” will be offered where visitors can learn about alpacas and some of the quirky, interesting things they do. Kids can make a craft out of alpaca fiber, and many alpacas will be available for sale.

The day would not be complete without a visit to the Boutique, where visitors will find a unique selection of alpaca products, from soft plush toys to luxurious scarves, hats, throws, socks and shawls, many of which are crafted by local artisans.

“Alpacas are gentle, inquisitive animals and are a delight to raise,” said Beth Osborne, owner of The Alpaca Hacienda. “We welcome the opportunity to share our alpacas with our community, so that more people can learn about them and become acquainted with the beautiful, warm items that are produced with their fiber. We shear them once a year, so no animals are ever harmed in the process, which is important to me.”

Alpacas are a small relative of the camel native to the Andes Mountains of South America, and are uniquely adapted to the cold, harsh climate found there. They are descendants of the wild vicuna, and were prized by the Incas for their soft, lightweight, and insulating fiber, known as “The Fiber of the Gods.” They make a gentle humming sound, and can live for 20 years.

The Alpaca Hacienda has been raising alpacas since 2004 and offers alpaca sales, boarding, and group tours. They have been featured on Pet.TV as well as in Oprah Magazine. The ranch is located at 31755 Rancho Vista Road, Temecula, CA 92592. Parking is available on the street outside the gate. For more information visit their website at www.TheAlpacaHacienda.com, or call The Alpaca Hacienda at 951-699-3189.

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