Their coats are spun into yarn and woven into woolly clothing. But they don’t bleat.They hum.People found that out Saturday at the sixth annual Alpaca Holiday Extravaganza in Black Forest, hosted by South Eastern Colorado Alpaca Breeders. The event at the Black Forest Community Club continues today.Local alpaca farmers brought their two-toed critters to the event so kids and adults could learn about them and touch their coats. Natives of South America, alpacas are a fluffy and less cantankerous cousin to camels and llamas.“They might know what an alpaca is, but they don’t know what is does or how it is used,” said Greg Smith of Black Forest Alpacas.He and his wife started raising alpacas when they retired from the military, and between their herds and animals they board, there’s about 150 at the farm, he said. All of the fiber from their animals is sent to mills for processing, and is turned into yarn or other products depending on the quality.Piles of alpaca products were available inside, where about 15 vendors were selling socks, scarves, sweaters and other items, even unspun alpaca hair.“There’s so much you can do with the fibers,” said Linda Smith who lives near Black Forest. She isn’t related to the alpaca farmers, but she’s full of praise for alpaca fiber.Smith’s daughter has Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, a chronic neurological disease. Alpaca fiber doesn’t cause her pain, isn’t scratchy and is warm, Smith said.The crafters at the event are real artisans, she said, noting that the event showcases a local industry from farm to sweater.Although the shop tables were busy, the alpacas outside were a highlight for many.Diane Richardson came to the event with her husband and her great niece.“We came to ‘Live it Up,’” she said, quoting the new slogan of Colorado Springs. They love animals even if 3-year-old Sophie Ryter seemed a little afraid of the alpacas, Richardson said.“They’re smaller than I expected.” she said. “They have beautiful faces.”—Contact Kristina Iodice: 636-0162 Twitter @GazetteKristina Facebook Kristina Iodice
Their coats are spun into yarn and woven into woolly clothing. But they don’t bleat.
They hum.
People found that out Saturday at the sixth annual Alpaca Holiday Extravaganza in Black Forest, hosted by South Eastern Colorado Alpaca Breeders. The event at the Black Forest Community Club continues today.
Local alpaca farmers brought their two-toed critters to the event so kids and adults could learn about them and touch their coats. Natives of South America, alpacas are a fluffy and less cantankerous cousin to camels and llamas.
“They might know what an alpaca is, but they don’t know what is does or how it is used,” said Greg Smith of Black Forest Alpacas.
He and his wife started raising alpacas when they retired from the military, and between their herds and animals they board, there’s about 150 at the farm, he said. All of the fiber from their animals is sent to mills for processing, and is turned into yarn or other products depending on the quality.
Piles of alpaca products were available inside, where about 15 vendors were selling socks, scarves, sweaters and other items, even unspun alpaca hair.
“There’s so much you can do with the fibers,” said Linda Smith who lives near Black Forest. She isn’t related to the alpaca farmers, but she’s full of praise for alpaca fiber.
Smith’s daughter has Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, a chronic neurological disease. Alpaca fiber doesn’t cause her pain, isn’t scratchy and is warm, Smith said.
The crafters at the event are real artisans, she said, noting that the event showcases a local industry from farm to sweater.
Although the shop tables were busy, the alpacas outside were a highlight for many.
Diane Richardson came to the event with her husband and her great niece.
“We came to ‘Live it Up,’” she said, quoting the new slogan of Colorado Springs. They love animals even if 3-year-old Sophie Ryter seemed a little afraid of the alpacas, Richardson said.
“They’re smaller than I expected.” she said. “They have beautiful faces.”
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Contact Kristina Iodice: 636-0162 Twitter @GazetteKristina Facebook Kristina Iodice
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