Alpacas of the Southwest hosts 18th Annual Alpaca Days
KINGMAN – Alpacas of the Southwest will host its 18th Annual Alpaca Days on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 7 and 8. The free event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
This event is both entertaining to families and educational to children; it is a free and wonderful way for families to spend the day. Besides getting up close with the alpacas, there is opportunity to watch and learn about alpaca fiber. Hand spinners will be holding demonstrations on how to turn raw alpaca fiber into yarn. Kids, be sure and stop by the Kid’s Arts & Crafts Cabin to create an art project. Rock painting and face painting booths will also be available.
As in past years, the Mohave Rock and Gem Club (Gemstoners) will also be participating in the event. Visitors will get to see club members cutting geodes and gemstones, and educating the public.
On Saturday, the High Desert Astronomy Club will have solar telescopes for viewing sun activity. Club members will be there to answer questions about club membership and information on astronomy. There will be several local artisans with unique handcrafted items for purchase. Live plants, handmade wooden furniture, handmade soaps, tee shirts, jewelry, homemade candles to name a few of the artisans. Cold drinks will be available for purchase.
The Ranch Store will be open during the two-day event to give visitors the opportunity to experience luxurious, extremely soft alpaca products. They will have a large inventory of socks, sweaters, and yarns from the alpaca fleece, gloves sweaters and handmade rugs as well as souvenir items.
Alpacas of the Southwest, a family-owned business in Kingman, started its journey back in 2003 when Anna and Ron Nyberg purchased their first alpaca. By 2005 their herd had grown to 10. Currently, the ranch has a herd of 29.
Their main focus is agritourism where they conduct tours Friday through Monday. It’s an opportunity to get up close and personal with these unique, docile animals. Visitors can feed special alpaca pellets to the alpacas as well as pet them. A great time to take awesome pictures of you with an alpaca. From high in the Peruvian Andes comes one of the finest luxury fibers in the world, alpaca. It’s incredibly soft texture is so fine it was once reserved for Inca royalty. Alpacas are members of the Camelid family and indigenous to South America, mainly Peru, Chile, and Bolivia. Cousin to llama, alpacas come in 22 color shades from white, fawn, chocolate brown, grey and black.
There are two types of alpacas: Huacaya – more common – and Suri – the rarer of the two types. Visitors can see both at the ranch.
Alpacas are raised for their unique fiber properties. Alpaca fiber is considered hypoallergenic, as it is free of lanolin. Lanolin is a popular allergen found in sheep wools that an cause itchiness when worn. Alpaca fiber is much lighter and warmer than wool, and so resistant to saturation that it’s nearly water-repellant. It is also soft to the touch which makes it a superior garment to wear in the summer as well as the winter. Sheared yearly, the fiber is then processed into products such as socks, sweaters, yarns, rugs, gloves and many other items.
The Nybergs enjoy educating visitors about the history of alpacas as well. They look forward to seeing you at the ranch on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 7 and 8.
Alpacas of the Southwest is located at 1108 McCarrel. From Kingman, take I-40 east and exit at Blake Ranch Road. Turn south on Blake Ranch Road and then take the first left. There will be signage from there to guide visitors to the farm.
For information call 928-255-1450 or 702-338-7806 or go to southwestalpacatours.com.
