SERENDIPITY ALPACA RANCH is another area alpaca farm participating in the annual National Alpaca Farm Days this year. Alpacas will be out and about at the farm for attendees to visit with.
THE COLUMBIA MIST ALPACAS farm is home to 50 award-winning alpacas. The farm will be open to the public for Alpaca Farm Days with an open house Sun., Sept. 27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Visitors will have a chance to interact with alpacas, including 12 crias (babies) as young as 6 weeks old.
Alpaca Farms all across the country, including some in the North Clark County area, will open their gates to the public to feel the alpaca fleece, tour the farm, experience live demonstrations, learn about raising and breeding alpacas, shop for alpaca products and more during the annual National Alpaca Farm Days, this year Sat.-Sun., Sept. 26-27.
Area alpaca farms invite community members and their families to enjoy a fun day at the farm for the whole family.
Here’s a look at some participating North Clark County alpaca farms and some activities they have planned for Alpaca Farm Days:
Serendipity Alpaca Ranch
Located at 2630 NE 253rd St., in Ridgefield, Serendipity Alpaca Ranch was first started by Karen Rice and her daughter Pamela Conrad back in 2011.
During the upcoming Alpaca Farm Days, Serendipity Alpaca Ranch will hold their fall opening of their Serendipity Fiber Loft, loaded with numerous new and unique items handmade from alpaca fiber. Items available for purchase include hats, gloves, scarves, sweaters, rugs, yarn, socks, blankets and more. This year, they also have some ornaments, some jewelry, paca buddies and tea pot cozies.
Weekend activities will also include a live demonstration of carding fiber and spinning fiber. The alpacas will also be out and about for attendees to visit with.
Serendipity Alpaca Ranch will be open during Alpaca Farm Days Sat.-Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, contact Conrad at (360) 798-7520 or Rice at (360) 903-3044, or visit their Facebook page.
Columbia Mist Alpacas
Home to 50 award-winning alpacas, Columbia Mist Alpacas has won 177 ribbons, 11 color championships, three best handles/fleeces of show, including Alpaca Owners Association National Show and two second place and one third place award at the International U.S. Show for having the most uniform breeding program in just 23 of the largest U.S. alpaca shows.
Located at 104 Morrison Heights Rd., in Woodland, Columbia Mist Alpacas will participate in Alpaca Farm Days by hosting their open house on Sun., Sept. 27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Visitors will have a chance to interact with their alpacas, including 12 crias (babies) as young as 6 weeks old. Their farm boutique, Delightful Treasures, will also be open, offering merchandise ranging from socks to sweaters made from alpaca fiber at a 10 percent discount for the day. For those who are not able to attend, a limited number of items are offered on the online store at www.columbiamistalpacas.com.
Also during the day, the fiber sorting and grading room will be open for viewing as well as roving, and yarn will be available for purchase. There will be a drawing for a 14-inch alpaca decorator pillow (a $53.95 value). Two older registered pet-quality females, including mentoring, will be available by entering a drawing as well.
Daryl and Ruthie Gohl have been the owners of Columbia Mist Alpacas since 1998.
“We are still breeding and selling high-quality alpacas through a system recognized by our industry as Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs),” the Gohls said. This system is a scientificc. system managed by the University of Colorado for determining the predictability of each alpaca to be able to reproduce nine fleece characteristics and compares them to the U.S. national herd.
For more information on Columbia Mist Alpacas, visit their website at www.columbiamistalpacas.com or go to Columbia Mist Alpacas on Facebook, or call (503) 407-5943.
Las Flores del Altiplano Alpacas
Alpaca Farm Days goers will be able to visit Las Flores del Altiplano Alpacas out at the Serendipity Alpaca Ranch Fiber Loft at 2630 NE 253rd St., Ridgefield. The Serendipity farm will be open Sat.-Sun., Sept. 26-27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
On other days, those wishing to can make an appointment to visit the Las Flores del Altiplano Alpaca farm, which is located at 23605 NE Jehnsen Rd., in Yacolt. To make an appointment, call (360) 686-0910.
La Finca Alpacas
La Finca Alpacas will present their National Alpaca Farm Days events Sat.-Sun., Sept. 26-27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Their farm is located at 33410 NE 60th Ave., La Center.
Attendees will be able to see the farm’s babies and alpaca products, enter to win two free fiber-quality males, and enjoy food, refreshments and fun for everyone.
For more information, email lafincaalpacas@msn.com or call (503) 351-1616.
