Join us at the 2011 Alpaca Extravaganza hosted by ABANC at the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont Colorado on Saturday and Sunday, February 26-27. Hours are 9 to 5 on Saturday and 10 to 4 on Sunday.

The Event is held indoors and is Free to the Public and features an opportunity for individuals and families to experience the world of Alpacas! Come just for a short visit to say hi to an alpaca or plan to spend the weekend and learn about alpacas and their luxurious fiber.

Many Northern Colorado alpaca breeders will display their alpacas and give mini-educational talks about their lives and businesses that have developed around raising this valuable livestock. Some alpacas on display will be available for sale. Many vendors will also have displays of alpaca products available to purchase. Some of the items featured will be clothing, yarn, rovings and special fiber art pieces, handmade from “Colorado Grown” alpacas.

Schedule of Educational Talks

Saturday Schedule, Feb. 26

11:00 am “Things That Make You Go Hmmm”
Alpaca husbandry considerations, Cynthia Fronk

12:00 pm “A Day in the Life of an Alpaca Rancher”
A typical day for alpaca breeders, Rick & Nancy Holloway

1:00 pm “Alpacas 101”
Getting started in the alpaca business, Rod Brunson

2:00 pm “Marketing You Alpaca Ranch”
Designing a plan to successfully market your alpacas, Carl & Ann Bradbury

Sunday Schedule, Feb. 27

11:00 am “Tax Benefits & Contract Language”
Tips for the unwary, Lynn Boak

12:00 pm “Sustainable Alpaca Ranching”
Combine ranching with a sustainable lifestyle, Wayne Dorband

1:00 pm “Alpaca Tools and Equipment”
What you need to set-up an alpaca operation, Ron & Denise Haines

2:00 pm “Different Strokes for Different Folks”
Same animals but with different approaches to ranching, Panel Discussion

Participating Farms:

Annie’s Alpaca Ranch, Ann Danielson & Kerri Smith
Azizi Alpacas LLC, Pauletta Yauk & Tammy McDonald
C&J Alpaca Ranch, Clinton Brooks & Jeffrie Sue Carver
Daybreak Criations Alpacas, Ron & Denise Haines
Edelweiss Alpacas, David & Carol Hinrichs
Gentle Spirit Alpaca Farm, Rick & Nancy Holloway
Green Acres Alpaca Ranch, Rod & Dorothy Brunson
Kitchell Kriations Alpacas, Ed & Marjean Bender
Mountain Sky Ranch, Wayne & Deb Dorband
Red Granite Ranch, Marc & Sharon Milligan
Ridge Valley Alpaca Ranch, Carl & Ann Bradbury
Stargazer Ranch LLC, John Heise & Cynthia Fronk
Switzer-land Alpacas & Paco-Vicuna Farm, Phil & Chris Switzer
Xanadu Farm, Pamela Ray