Come watch an alpaca being shorn. It happens only once per year so if you miss it, you'll need to wait until next year! Full and fluffy until their winter coats come off....... you'll be surprised at how they look when they are naked! Bring your camera for before and after pictures. Feel how soft and warm alpaca fleece is and check out some finished product at our on-farm store Gallery 109.
With luck, in addition to shearing you may be able to see the first 2012 babies (cria) on the ground.
Gallery 109 Opens for Business February 11, 2012 Now open week-ends 10am-3pm or by appointment, Gallery 109 offers a collection of one of a kind luxury alpaca products as well as unique gifts and collectables from local artisans.
2011 Events
Dufferin County Farm Tour
October 1, 2011 We are pleased to open our doors as a host farm for this year's farm tour. Come see the alpacas, touch the fibre, see how it is made into luxury products. Bring the family for a day in the country. One day only, Saturday October 1. TheTour goes rain or shine......so dress accordingly. The Tour is for everyone, plan to start early as the Tour ends at 4pm. There will be local produce available to purchase. Pick up your passport between 9:00am and 2:00pm the day of the Tour at the following locations:
Hills of Headwaters Information Centre (Hwy 10 & Buena Vista Dr. Orangeville)
Grand Valley Public School (north end of Grand Valley, County Rd 25)
Bluwood Canada, Shelburne (west end of Shelburne, Hwy 89)
Admission.....a non-perishable donation for the local food bank We promise you will end your day enriched by the diversity of farming in Headwaters Country!
For more information visit www.thehillsof headwaters.com/farmtour
Cria Crazy Open House
August 28, 2011 11am-3pm There is nothing cuter or softer than a baby alpaca. Pack your picnic and come have lunch for a visit with our 'new arrivals'. Don't forget your camera! Come and see carding, spinning and weaving demonstrations and the wonderfully warm luxurious product locally produced from our own alpaca fibre.
Fibre Dyeing Workshop
Saturday July 9, 2011 10:00am Sponsored by AFCO (Alpaca Fibre Co-Op of Ontario) and hosted by Alpaca Central. Marion Satchwill, Dye Specialist will lead the workshop and will show the use of various types of dye with alpaca yarn. Limited registration
Shearing Workshop
April 29, 30 & May 1, 2011 with Tom Redpath (this workshop will not be repeated for 2 to 3 years, depending on interest) A comprehensive 2.5-day, hands-on workshop. The value of alpaca fibre can be significantly affected by poor shearing practices. Learn how to safely shear your own herd and achieve optimum return. Registration is limited
Camelid Fibre Sorter/Classer Certificate Course
April 15 to 17, 2011 With Ruth Elvestad Ruth manages the Natural Fibre Testing Laboratory at Olds College, Alberta; is a qualified fibre testing technician; a Certified Camelid Fibre Classer; a Certified AOBA Judge; a volunteer with the Canadian Camelid Fibre Co-op; a founding member of the Canadian AgriFibre Network; a Wool Judge; a Suri Llama Keuring Inspector, and teaches Fibre Workshops extensively throughout North American and overseas. Prerequisite Camelid Basic Farm Sorter Course Limited registration.
Alpaca Ontario 10th Anniversary Show
April 9 – 10, 2011 Orangeville Fairgrounds Orangeville Ontario Come and visit the ALPACA CENTRAL farm showcase and watch ROYAL LEAR’s award winning progeny in the ring!!
2010 Events
Alpaca Products at Wintersinger's Tree Farm
Week-ends starting November 28, 2010 to December 19, 2010 Alpaca Central has a boutique at Wintersinger's Tree Farm at 5837 Third Line, Hillsburgh. Come and browse for that perfect alpaca gift while you pick out a tree!! Yarn or rovings for the fibre artist in your life; cozy warm socks and insoles; luxurious duvets; a selection of handknit hats, scarves and mitts. All natural and locally made from our own alpacas. Treat yourself and someone you love.
Christmas Sale
Saturday, November 27, 2010 11am to 3pm Come browse for that perfect gift and enjoy a visit with the alpaca herd. Fleece and yarn for the fibre artist in your life; cozy warm socks and luxurious duvets; a selection of handknit hats, mitts and scarves all loving created from locally raised alpacas along with other unique products from a variety of local vendors
Dufferin County Farm Tour
Saturday October 2, 2010 Discover where the food on your plate really comes from and what goes on behind the scenes at the farm. Visitors will have the opportunity to visit farms and agri-businesses in the East Garafraxa and East Luther townships and see alpacas, beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, horse breeding facility, grain elevator/custom cropping operation. The tour will showcase the diversity of farming operations in Dufferin County, where agriculture is one of the region's largest industries contributing to employment and local economic prosperity.
Not only will the tour showcase agriculture as a vital industry within our economy, but will show visitors the tangible connection between the food they eat and how it is produced and grown. For many who farm in Dufferin County, their business is more than just a business - it's a way of life! Families have been farming in this region for generations and continue to provide food for not only their families, but for their neighbours, and their communities.
Visitors can pick up a passport at the Hills of Headwaters Tourism Office between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm on the day of the tour. In the passport they will find a map of all the farm locations participating in the tour. Portable washrooms and hand-washing facilities will be available at each location, and select locations will provide food concessions (identified in the passport). We ask for a donation of non-perishable food items or cash for the local food bank as your admission to the day.
Summer Open House
Picnic with the 'pacas' Saturday, August 14, 2010 11am to 4pm Pack a picnic lunch, bring your camera and meet our 2010 newborn alpacas. Baby alpacas are called 'CRIA' and most are born during the summer season. There is nothing cuter or more curious than a baby alpaca. Visit us, relax and enjoy the view! There will be educational displays and you can browse our selection of luxury products locally made from our own alpaca fibre.
Alpaca Shearing
Sunday May 16, 2010 Noon to 4 pm Be a part of the biggest alpaca shearing event in south central Ontario Watch the shearing in action!! See the fleece go right from the animal to the carding machine and onto the spinning wheel. Here it will be made into yarn and then move on to the weaving loom where it will be made into a soft, luxurious garment. Alpacas are shorn only once per year, so this is your only chance to experience ' spa day' for the alpacas.
Camelid Fibre Basic Farm Sorter Workshop
Session 1 April 24 & 25 2010 Session 2 April 26 & 27 2010 Presented by Ruth Elvestad of the National Fibre Testing Laboratory, Olds College, Alberta This is the prerequisite for the Camelid Fibre Sorter/Classer Certification Registration is limited
Sweetheart Sale
Saturday February 6, 2010 11am to 4pm Cuddle the love of your life in the warmest socks, mitts, hats, scarves and duvets all made locally from our alpacas. Treat your sweetie to some luxury yarn or roving processed at the local mill for that special project.
2009 Events
South Central Ontario Stud Service Savings Event
October 3, 2009 In co-operation with Sire Power Alpacas our objective is to provide alpaca breeders with an opportunity to kick-start their 2010 and 2011 breeding program. Attend this event to view and book breedings to an excellent selection of high-quality studs. Each farm showcasing their studs at this event will offer spectacular savings on stud fees for this event only.