PARIS — Alpaca farms across Maine are opening their barns to visitors
during the Alpaca Open Farm Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26
and 27.

More than 30 alpaca farms throughout the state will participate.

“With no two farms alike, the fun of exploring different alpaca
farms throughout the Alpaca Open Farm Weekend provides a special event
to discover how Mainers go about raising the intelligent and gentle
species,” according to the Maine Alpaca Association.

Local breeders and farmers will be sharing facts about alpacas, along
with offering demonstrations from animal training to fiber spinning,
MAA stated.

“We are delighted to open our farm and share our knowledge from 15
years of experience raising alpacas,” said Cindy Mingle of Mountain
Brook Farm in Paris.

The event is part of the Maine Alpaca Association’s commitment to
educating the public about the animals, their fiber and the advantages
of operating sustainable alpaca farms and fiber operations, according
to MAA. The association provides support for owners, breeders and
enthusiasts through education, camaraderie and cooperative efforts.

More information about the weekend and alpaca farming can be found online at: www.mainealpacafarms.com.

The following area farms will be participating in the weekend:

• Mainely Alpaca, 819 Middle Road, New Portland, www.mainelyalpaca.com, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

• Mountain Brook Farm, 219 Streaked Mt Road, South Paris, www.mtbrookfarm.com. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

• Kezar River Farm, 73 Lochan Way, Sweden, www.kezarriverfarm.com. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

• Maine’s Bellemont Farm Alpacas, 301 Robinson Hill Road, Oxford, www.shakerview.com/alpacas. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday only.

• Andes Alpaca Farm, 334 Johnson Road, Auburn, www.andesalpacafarm.com, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday only.

• Columbine Hill Alpaca Farm, 50 Rough Rider Road, Durham, 207-926-3051, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

• Full Moon Alpacas, 272 South Witham Road, Auburn, www.fullmoonalpacas.com, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

• Namaste Alpaca Farm, 1290 Royalsborough Road, Durham, www.royalsboroughinn.com, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

• Queen’s Land Farm Alpacas, 74B Penney Road, New Gloucester, www.queenslandfarm.com, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday only.

A herd of summer offspring or young alpacas checks out a photographer at Mountain Brook Farm in Paris.