Meet the alpaca, a unique, docile, and inquisitive animal, at Hubbard Hill Alpaca Farm during the second annual “National Alpaca Farm Days,” on Saturday, Sept. 27, and Sunday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both days.

The national event was created by the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association to increase public awareness about alpacas and the alpaca industry.

Visitors to Hubbard Hill will gain a solid understanding about how a small huacaya alpaca farm operates, discover more about the Ohio alpaca industry, and take home a souvenir.  Light refreshments will be served. Hubbard Hill is one of over 50 farms in the area participating in National Alpaca Farm Days.

What is an Alpaca?  Alpacas, cousins to the llama, are native to the Andean Mountain range of South America, particularly Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. There are two types of alpacas in the United States today.  Although almost physically identical, what distinguishes the two types of alpacas is their fiber.  The Huacaya (wa-Ki’-ah) is the more common of the two and has a fluffy, extremely fine coat.  The Suri is the rarer of the two and has fiber that is silky and resembles pencil-locks. Alpacas were first imported into the United States in 1984.  Since then, the alpaca industry has grown steadily. Current estimates total over 120,000 registered alpacas with the Alpaca Registry, Inc. (ARI) in the United States.

Directions to Hubbard Hill Alpaca Farm:  From the intersection of I-271 and I-480, take Route 422 east towards Warren. Go past Route 91, Route 306, and Route 44.  Turn left (north) onto Route 700 (towards Burton), at the light.  Turn right onto Hubbard Road.  The farm is on the left, about .7 of a mile.  Address: 14400 Hubbard Road, Burton OH, 44021.