7th Annual LlamaFest July 14

7th Annual LlamaFest July 14
By Caru dasa

Saturday July 14th from 4pm onwards, KHQN Radio, the Krishna Temple, and Utah Valley Llamas will host the 7th Annual Llama Fest one mile south of Spanish Fork on Main St. Last year 4, 000 celebrants enjoyed the food, live music, crafts, and lore of the South American llama.

Llamas and their handlers from all over Utah will compete in the show ring, on the obstacle course, and in a 1/2-mile pack race. Festival goers can learn wool spinning and felting techniques at demonstration booths, as well as see shearing and hoof cutting techniques, and have a hands on experience leading llamas through the obstacle courses. There will be a baby llama (cria) corral where children can fraternize and feed their animal counterparts.

Continuous live music on the outdoor stage will come from Los Hermanos de los Andes, Alborada, & the Westside Band. Richard Christensen has been to every Llama Fest since 1995. ³ Early on in the evening, it’s nice to watch the llamas and their handlers. The llamas are well groomed, graceful, and gentle. It’s watching living art to the background music of the Andes. Towards dusk the beat picks up and many of the younger folks, like myself, like to dance. ²

Food booths will offer such south of the border favorites as chili, nachos, emphanadas, braised vegetables with fried curd, bread pudding, spicy wraps, and lemon fruit drinks.

A good selection of Andean craft items like jewelry, rugs, shawls, carvings and clothing will be available on site.

Bring the whole family for a fun and educational experience. Admission is $2.00 per person or $6.00/ family of parents and small children. Llama Fest VII is sponsored in part by a grant from the Utah Arts Council & The National Endowment for the Arts. Those who would like to volunteer 1 1/2 hour service in exchange for a LlamaFest T shirt worth $12. 00 may e mail or call 798-3559 to register. All other fees for meals and admission apply.

© CHAKRA 4-July-2001

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