Llama and Alpaca Bazaar planned

Seven llama farms are coming together in Marion, for a weekend of Camelid (llama, alpaca and camel) events, during the Sept. 27-28 Finger Lakes Llama & Alpaca Bazaar. It will take place in the Marion Town Park, off North Main Street. Gates open at 9 a.m. (until 6 p.m. Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday)

Six hours of public seminars and demonstrations are scheduled for presentation daily by experienced llama owners. Dozens of llamas and alpacas will be housed under cover in a 3000-square-foot tent. Admission is free, with plenty of seating available in the demonstration areas. The park also offers indoor bathrooms, a large playground for kids, food service and covered dining daily. Wool, books, tapes and camelid-related handicrafts will be available.

To see Camelids ranging from tall pack animals to heavy wool producers this is the place to be. You may expect to find some llamas available for sale as well. This event is NYLAA (New York Llama and Alpaca Assoc.) sanctioned.

Kevin Wolfer, DVM from the Lyons Veterinary Clinic, in Lyons, will be on hand Saturday afternoon to answer questions regarding Camelid care from a Vet's point of view. On Sunday, "Chewy the Camel" pays a visit for the day. Camels are closely relatived to llamas and alpacas. Chewy is four years old, stands seven feet tall and weighs over 1400 pounds.

NYLAA member and llama breeder Steve Austin of Newark said, "The only other time we gather like this is for county and state fairs. But our concentration there is so focused on the presentations and show competition that it's hard to answer visitors' questions. The atmosphere at a Bazaar is much more relaxed for us and the animals. Less pressure, more fun."

"... Most people don't realize that the llama was domesticated by South American natives 5,000 years before the Spanish brought horses to the 'New World.' Visitors find educational events like this are a real eye-opener. There are over 10,000 llama and alpaca owners across the United States."

For Information:

Steve & Cindy Austin
Wind And The Willows Farm
3009 Ryder Road, Newark, NY 14513
Phone: (315) 331-4011.

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