KENNEWICK, Wash. – This weekend marks National Alpaca Farm Days, and alpaca farms across the country are inviting communities to celebrate this unique animal. Kennewick’s Sandollar Farms is joining in on the festivities.
Sandollar Farms has been celebrating National Alpaca Farm Days for the past 15 years. The farm houses a dozen adults alpacas, as well as two babies that the public can view this weekend.
Sandollar Farms, like other alpaca farms nationwide, is celebrating the 19th year of National Alpaca Farms Day. The public is invited to visit and get up close with the alpacas. Visitors at Sandollar have the chance to take pictures with the animals.
“We love to see the smiles on the people’s faces that come. They just really enjoy being around the animals. They take lots of pictures. That it’s not something that children who are raised in the city get to spend a lot of time doing, and so we enjoyed doing that for the community,” said Nikki Griffith, co-owner of Sandollar.
Griffith, who started the farm with her husband in 2006, shared her initial encounter with alpacas.
“We saw them at a little country fair, and the lady had a couple of yearlings in a pen, and then a little table next door showing what could be made with their fleece. And I just kind of fell in love with the big brown eyes. They used to call it the cute factor. I still do,” she said.
Sandollar Farms currently hosts 12 adult alpacas and two babies, with another one on the way. The farm offers more than just a chance to see alpacas up close; it provides an opportunity to learn about their significance in everyday life.
“The fleece is unbelievably soft, warm. It lasts forever. It’s softer than and warmer than wool. Wicks away moisture. It’s made primarily in garments that we wear, gloves, scarves, hats, sweaters. Just about any kind of garment that you can make of wool, you can make of alpaca,” said Griffith. “Alpacas are wonderful livestock. They’re very easy to breed and train. A lot of people get them for showing. Some want lawnmowers because they do a nice job of keeping the pastures down a little. Some get for breeding; some just want pets because they’re so cute.”
For those who missed the opportunity to visit the farm, you can visit Sandollar’s website to plan a trip.
