Here's your chance to trick-or-treat with about 300 alpacas, and it's free.
The Royal Alpaca Challenge, taking place Nov. 1 and 2 at the Ga. International Horse Park is hosting a trick-or-treat, costume contest and obstacle course event on Saturday, Nov. 1 starting at noon.
Vendors and exhibitors will pass out candy to trick-or-treaters until 3 p.m.
Dress up in your most unique costume and join us for a costume contest in the center ring. The contest is open to the public and prizes will be given for Most Creative Costume and Scariest Costume in each age group: 0-5, 5-8, 9-12, 13-17 and adult. Winners will receive a gift certificate for $20 to spend on vendors and a free photo taken with an alpaca by our show photographer. The contest will start at noon so don't be late!
An obstacle course will be available for children to "borrow" an alpaca and lead them through the course. This rare opportunity is a fun and safe way for kids to learn how to work hands-on with these gentle animals.
About Alpacas
Alpacas, cousins to the llama, are beautiful, intelligent animals native to the Andean Mountain range of South America, particularly Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. The United States first commercially imported alpacas in 1984. There are now more than 230,000 registered alpacas in North America.
There are two types of alpacas in the United States today. Although almost physically identical, what distinguishes the two types of alpacas is their fiber. The Huacaya (wa-Ki'-ah) is the more common of the two and has a fluffy, extremely fine coat. The Suri (SUR-ee) is the more rare of the two and has fiber that is silky and resembles pencil-locks.
Adult alpacas stand at approximately 36 inches at the withers and generally weigh between 150 and 200 pounds. They do not have horns, hooves, claws or incisors. Alpacas are alert, intelligent, curious, and predictable. Social animals that seek companionship, they communicate most commonly by softly humming.
About Alpaca Fiber
Alpacas are shorn, without harm, every twelve to eighteen months. They produce five to ten pounds of luxurious fiber. Long ago, alpaca fiber was reserved for royalty. Today it is purchased in its raw fleece form by hand-spinners and fiber artists. Knitters buy it as yarn.
Because of its soft texture, alpaca fiber is sometimes compared to cashmere. Making the fiber even more coveted, it has the luster of silk. Alpaca is just as warm as, yet 1/3 the weight of wool. It comes in 22 natural colors, yet can be dyed any desired shade.
Containing no lanolin, alpaca fiber is also naturally hypoallergenic. Most people who are sensitive to wool find that they can wear alpaca without the itching or irritation they feel from wool because alpaca fiber is smooth. Additional performance characteristics include: stretch, water repellency, and odor reduction. For travelers, clothing made from alpaca is desirable because it is wrinkle-resistant.
For more information, visit www.georgia-alpaca.com.
