Rural Trader Blogs

National Alpaca Day

National Alpaca Day (3^rd May 2009) - Open Farm was a huge success!!! 

The weather on the day was fabulous so people were out and about enjoying their Sunday drive with the family.  We had over 70 visitors come to meet our fabulous alpacas.  They patted and fed them, took them for walks, led them through an obstacle course, had their photos taken with their friendly alpaca, then they viewed a DVD that talks about the Suri Alpaca as the “Rarest of Breeds” and the animal that produces the “Fibre of the Gods”.

Last but not least they oohed and aahed over the processed fibre and finished garments we had on hand.  Before everyone went home we made sure they had their Free sample of Carded Suri and also that we knew where to send them their Free photo to commemorate the wonderful experience they had had.

We arranged to have a few friends and family around on the day, to help out, which was extremely helpful.  Also on hand all day, was a professional photographer, so I have included a few of his photos for your benefit. Other Open Farms in the area experienced a similar success.  One provided a free sausage sizzle after their advertised talk on Alpaca Husbandry and had the Newspaper Reporters turn up looking for pictures and a story which was published the next day. 

Another alpaca breeder allowed people to have a picnic in the paddock with the alpacas providing all sorts of fun and warm memories that the families will now have for a lifetime.  With felting, spinning, toenail clipping demonstrations, there was all sorts going on around the Bay of Plenty district, in fact the whole country.  If you missed out this year, be sure to make the effort to join with us next year.  National Alpaca Day has been allocated to the 1^st Sunday of May each year so the next one will be held on May 2^nd, 2010.  Having said that, we welcome visitors throughout the year, just give us a call first to make sure we will be available.  We love talking about alpacas anytime and introducing our beautiful alpacas to our visitors.

Richard & Rosemary Newson
Sonric Suri Alpacas
+64 (274) SONRIC (766 742)
+64  (21) SONRIC (766 742)
+64   (7) 552 0016
www.sonric.co.nz