On Saturday, June 2nd, 2012, Alpacas for Autism and the Adrian Elks will host an Alpaca Fiber Festival in Adrian, Missouri Proceeds from the event will benefit Adrian Elks Lodge 2864 and Alpacas for Autism, a nonprofit organization with a unique mission, “To improve the quality of life for individuals with Autism by teaching the fiber arts and using alpacas to improve social skills.”
Event Details
The open house style event will run from 10am to 3pm. Appropriate for all ages, this event will feature personal interaction with alpacas, goats and even a llama named Josh! The Adrian Elks will be offering a great menu of homemade treats so no one will go away hungry. Area fiber artists will be on hand to demonstrate their skills including, spinning, felting, weaving and knitting. Attendees will have the opportunity to try their hand at fiber processing and even create an alpaca craft to take home. Alpaca fiber, roving, yarn and finished goods will be available for purchase as well. A family friendly, fun time in the country for all!
About Alpacas for Autism
Alpacas for Autism is a nonprofit organization with a heart for animals, entrepreneurship and individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. This unique combination has given rise to programs which support young adults beginning at age 12 through adulthood. Incorporated in September 2011, by founder and executive director, Tina Cochran, the mission is to provide tools this under-served group can use to become more self-sufficient.
Programs are being developed in two key areas: Social skills, through which alpacas are partnered with autistic individuals on the ranch in Adrian, Missouri; and Fiber arts/entrepreneurship, with classes in knitting, crocheting, felting, yarn spinning, business planning, marketing, etc. Funds raised by the organization also support a summer camp for youth with Autism (www.CampEncourage.org)About Alpacas
Alpacas, cousins to the llama, are beautiful, intelligent animals native to the Andean Mountain range of South America, particularly Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. There are now over 150,000 registered alpacas in North America. 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.
Adult alpacas stand at approximately 36 inches at the withers and generally weigh between 150 and 200 pounds. Alpacas are alert, intelligent, curious, and predictable. Social animals that seek companionship, they communicate most commonly by softly humming.
To find out more about Alpacas for Autism visit http://www.AlpacasForAutism.com. Or call 816-258-0089.
To find out more about Adrian Elks Lodge 2864 email: adrianelks@gmail.com or call 816-297-8979
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