A day alpaca-ed with family fun
September 25, 2019
The largest Suri Alpaca farm in Ohio is inviting community members out to their 11th Annual participation in the National Alpaca Farm Days.
The Alpacas of Spring Acres looks a little bit different than many farms in town. There’s no corn fields, no cows and no pumpkins — just 91 alpacas and three llamas.
Each year, the farm hosts a free and open event for the public to learn more about alpacas, take some photos, win a prize and maybe pet an alpaca if they’re up to it.
“Alpacas are a mixed bag just like people,” Lindsay Warne, the Chief Marketing Officer at the Alpacas of Spring Acres, said. “They all have different personalities, some of them are the sweetest little puppies … they’ll run right up to you, they want love, they want pet and some of them would just prefer to be left alone.”
Alpacas are part of the camelid family which also includes camels and llamas. They’re from South America, specifically Bolivia, Chile and Peru.
They were brought to the U.S. in the 80s and 90s. The country has since stopped allowing the trade of alpacas, so any that are currently in the U.S. are the only ones that will be brought in.
“We have what we have and that’s why we’re breeding so actively because we want to increase the numbers and get more of an alpaca industry,” Warne said.
The Suri alpacas, which have hair that grows downward like humans rather than puffy hair that grows outward, make up 10 percent of the alpaca population.
On Saturday and Sunday, the community is invited to spend the day at The Alpacas of Spring Acres. The event offers free raffles, tours of the farm, photo opportunities, education for kids and adults, a scavenger hunt, activity pages for children, vendors, demonstrations and more.
The farm is open on Sept. 28 and Sept. 29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Typically, tours at the farm must be scheduled in advance and cost $5. During the Alpaca Farm Days, residents from Zanesville and beyond can explore the farm for free while partaking in other activities.
There will also be a 50/50 raffle to benefit the farm’s developing alpaca rescue program. While the program is still in the works, The owners of The Alpacas of Spring Acres are in the process of organizing a rescue program to take in alpacas who may be mistreated, neglected or who need a new home for various other reason. Warne said the farm is hoping to have the rescue program up and running in the next couple years.
The event is free and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. The Alpacas of Spring Acres is located at 3370 Big-B Rd. in Zanesville.
To learn more about the Alpacas of Spring Acres, click here.
