Lamafest offers unusual Labor Day tradition on MSU’s campus

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During the holiday weekend, the Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education hosted more than 175 llamas and 40 alpacas during Lamafest 2011, the nation’s second-longest running llama and alpaca show.

Lamafest is an annual Labor Day weekend event at MSU, said event coordinator Don Topliff.

Throughout the two-day event, the llamas and alpacas competed in an obstacle course and in separate halter class events where they were judged based on build and physical stature.

“I think this is the 20th year at MSU,” Topliff said. “There are other llama shows in the area, but this only happens once a year at MSU.”

Dozens of vendors were in attendance, selling items ranging from llama portraits to socks made from alpaca fur.

Topliff named the Pavilion as one of the main reasons for the event’s success at MSU.

“Of all the shows I’ve been to around the country, it’s probably the nicest facility that I’ve ever shown in,” he said.

Lamafest has been popular with the llama community, curious students and families with kids looking for something to do during Labor Day weekend, Topliff said.

“For students, it’s an opportunity to get up close and personal with llamas and see what they’re all about,” he said. “It can be an educational experience, or it’s just kind of fun to see the animals.”

Lamafest drew the interest of hospitality business senior Kara Bauer. After seeing the Lamafest advertisement on the Pavilion’s marquee, she decided to stop by on Sunday afternoon.

“I’ve never actually been to a llama show before, so it sounded fun,” Bauer said. “We’ve just been wandering around trying to pet llamas.”

John Fix of Pepperstone Llamas has been making the annual trip with his wife to Lamafest from their home in La Porte, Ind., for 10 years.

He said transporting llamas can have its share of challenges, especially with the high temperatures during the weekend.

“Fortunately, nobody had any issues, but the heat can stress a llama out,” he said.

Despite the distance, Fix said the trip from Indiana is worth it.

“We like supporting the llama people in general,” Fix said. “(The Pavilion) is a nice facility. Everybody likes it up here.”

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