The much-loved Alpaca Festival was originally postponed due to Hurricane Florence -- but the weekend of alpacas is here at last!
For a full decade, Outstanding Dreams Farm in Preston, Maryland, has hosted an annual two-day alpaca festival each and every fall. And this year’s family-friendly alpaca-centric celebration will take place Saturday and Sunday, September 29–30. The festival was originally scheduled for September 15–16 but was rescheduled due to Hurricane Florence.
The Alpaca Festival will feature actual alpaca meet-and-greets (yes, please!), spinning demonstrations, various arts and crafts vendors, pony rides, live music and entertainment, locally made ice cream, a moon bounce, and much more! Plus, a visit to the adorable farm store will let you browse (and shop for) all the amazing garments that can be made with the animal’s luxurious fiber.
Last year, an estimated 2,000 people showed up for the weekend event, which is obviously very entertaining for kids!
Courtesy of Outstanding Dreams website
Nestled among 15 acres on Maryland’s scenic Eastern Shore, Outstanding Dreams is a working alpaca breeding farm, whose owners — the Liskes — stumbled upon the industry by chance while looking for a business they could do together.
“Phil is an avid animal lover while Vicki enjoys a variety of crafts and sharing her skills with others,” the couple explains on their website.
And alpacas turned out to be just the right fit.
Courtesy of Outstanding Dreams website
Now the Liskes breed alpacas for both their soft fiber (from which a variety of yarns and products are made) and for sales and additional breeding. The yearly alpaca festival was born out of a desire to share their knowledge and passion about the animal species with others.
Outstanding Dreams Farm is located at 24480 Pinetown Road in Preston, Maryland. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 29, and from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 30. For more information, visit the farm’s website.
Have you been to the Alpaca Festival? Do you plan to go this year? Have you ever imagined anything so amazingly quaint? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Here are some other things you can do in Maryland this fall!
