Visitors experience shear delight at Island Alpaca Co.

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This past Saturday, in keeping with the Earth Day celebrations, Island Alpaca Co. hosted its ninth annual Shearing Day celebration. It was a fun and furry family event, despite the dreary weather. A crowd of alpaca fans packed into the barn to see the colorful Huacaya breeds prepped for their annual spring haircuts.

Matt Best of the Best Alpaca Shearing company out of Newport, N.H., was the master shearer. Between March and July every year, Mr. Best travels across the country to shear alpacas and llamas, ending his season in Washington State. His assistant, Todd Schrorer (whom we teased as Schrorer the shearer), travels from New York to help Mr. Best with the season.

There was even a little “musical” entertainment in the main barn during the shearing. Turns out alpacas make a gentle humming sound when they get excited, and the collective sound was really kind of lyrical.

One thing is for sure: Alpacas are funny, gentle, and extremely curious critters, full of personality, with the softest fleece you could imagine. To see the alpaca with their new haircuts, visit Island Alpaca daily from 10 am to 4 pm.

For more information, visit islandalpaca.com.