The Fairbault County exhibitors brought alpacas to the Llama Show. This is the second time Brown County 4-H has hosted alpacas in the Llama Show. Brown County and Fairbault 4-H agreed to share a judge for a single 4-H event since both counties llama and alpaca teams are so small. 

The Fairbault alpaca team included Abigal Mell, Victoria Mell, Elisabeth Nelson, Elisabeth Nelson, and Alexandra Nelson. Brown County’s llama team had two members: Olivia and Violet Hammer.

Both species were run through the same trials including an obstacle course, public relations test, and costume contest.

The show had a difficult start as the animals were reluctant to run the obstacle course. Victoria Mell said alpacas can go either way. 

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Olivia Hammer runs the obstacle course with the llama named Sugar. Hammer would receive the blue ribbon in her class for completing the course.

“Sometimes they act like butterflies and other times that don’t want to move,” she said.

The alpaca’s behavior improved for the costume contest. Both Victoria and Abigal were able to dress in matching Disney inspired outfits with their alpacas.

For exhibition purposes, Judge Jane Imker allowed the exhibitors to switch animals for practice. The Fairbault team had the opportunity to walk llamas, which were a little taller than their alpacas.

Judge Jane Imker said roughly 70 llamas and alpacas are sent to the State Fair each year. Even though llamas and alpacas have among the fewest entries at the fair, the llama/alpaca costume show has the highest audience turnout of any livestock show.

“There is standing room only,” Imker said.

This year the Senior Champion Showperson award went to Isabella Nelson with Victoria Mell taking Reserve.

Alexandra Nelson received Intermediate Champion Showperson.

Isabella Nelson received a blue ribbon in the obstacle course for Grade 9 and Up. Abigal Mell took blue in the Grade 6-8 division. Olivia Hammer took blue in the Grades 3-5 division.

Victoria Mell won the costume contest in Senior Divison and Abigal Mell won in the Intermediate class.

Isabella Nelson won blue in the Champion Public Relations Senior Class and Abigail Mell took Blue in the Intermediate Class.