2008 - This year’s Lamafest Fiber Show has four categories in which to display your best fiber and fiber products including: Full Fleece, Handspun Skein, Finished Fiber Articles, and Walking Fleece.

The llama full fleece and alpaca full fleece classes will be judged for ALSA points. Lee Ann King will be our judge for llama fleeces and walking fleece and Mary Reed will be the judge for alpaca fleeces and walking fleece.

FULL FLEECE
All entries must be 100% llama or 100% alpaca sheared within 2 years of the date of the show, either full blanket or barrel fleece. There will be 3 llama fiber divisions: single coat, double coat, and suri. There will be 2 llama age categories: up through 24 months and 24 months and older. Alpaca fleeces will be suri or huacaya with 3 age divisions, 5-12 months, 12-24 months, and 24 months and older. Each entry must include the following information: copy of registration certificate, accurate date of shearing, accurate date of previous shearing, gender, owner identification and birth date of animal. Please refer to page 72 in the 14th edition of the ALSA Handbook for fleece preparation information.

HANDSPUN SKEIN
All entries must be 100% handspun llama or 100% handspun alpaca, at least 1 ounce and must include a description of the intended use for the yarn. Wool may be dyed. It should not be twisted into a tight skein. The application deadline is August 15, 2008. Entries are to be taken to the Pavilion at M.S.U. before 7 p.m. on Friday August 29, 2008.

FINISHED FIBER ARTICLES
Six categories will be judged including: Knitting, Crocheting, Weaving, Traditional Wet Felting, Knit or Crochet Felting and Needle Felting. All items must be made with fiber that is at least 50% llama or alpaca. For the Knit/Crochet categories, the yarn may be handspun or commercially spun. The application deadline is August 15, 2008. Entries are to be taken to the Pavilion at M.S.U. before 7 p.m. on Friday August 29, 2008.

WALKING FLEECE
This class provides an opportunity for llama and alpaca owners to learn about fleece characteristics and management while receiving a professional evaluation. The age and class divisions are the same as the shorn fleece division. Exhibitors will bring their animals to the judging area during the hours the judge is available. Please have your animal judged before applying grooming products to the fiber. Entry fee is $25, and you may pre-enter or enter at the show. Individual forms will be completed at the show.

Contact Tina Etter at 517-552-1502 or e-mail: llamasinmybackyard@juno.com for more information.