In the days leading up to Labor Day weekend, llama and alpaca breeders across the country began packing their things.
Their destination was Lamafest 2009, which took over the MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education on Sept. 4-6.
MSU hosts Mich.-based Lamafest
10-year-old Lexie Fehrenbach tries to pull her llama, Comet, over a self-made jump Sunday afternoon at the 2009 Lamafest held at the MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education.
Lamafest has been an annual staple at the Pavilion since the building’s opening 13 years ago, event superintendent Don Topliff said.
Originating in Kalamazoo, the event has moved to East Lansing and now is not only the biggest llama and alpaca showcase in the state, but also the country.
This year, more than 200 llamas and about 30 alpacas competed in a variety of competitions designed to show the best of the breeds.
But the event isn’t only about winning a ribbon, Topliff said.
“When you’re there, people are more than willing to get (the llamas) out so they can
pet them and see them,” he said.
“Everybody has a good time and it’s just kind of fun to be in that environment.”
The entrants at Lamafest vary from professional breeders to amateurs making their first appearances, which is reflected by the competitions themselves.
Throughout the weekend, the South American animals can navigate obstacle courses, get an inspection similar to that at a dog show, dress up in costumes and even work on their people skills in an event known as public relations, where llamas are encouraged to get acquainted with patrons looking to pet them.
To Jennianne O’Connor, a Lamafest visitor and an MSU veterinary medicine graduate student, the showcase is the only time she gets to see a costume contest quite like this one.
“Where else can you see a llama dressed up as a fairy?” O’Connor said.
Seventeen-year-old Meagan Cyrus drove about 300 miles to show her llama, Double Delight, in the obstacle course during Sunday’s 18-and-under class.
“Although it may seem easy to lead an animal through small obstacles, there is still
a lot being judged,” Cyrus said.
READ MORE
The llamas are scored by how well they complete obstacles, how well they pay attention, how well they’re groomed, how the trainer leads the animal and how it approaches each obstacle.
“For example, if our animals were to hesitate on the obstacle, that could be a point off,” she said.
Lamafest 2009 made an impression on O’Connor that goes beyond just her love of animals she said.
“I was just thinking I might want to get a llama some day,” she said.
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
