Alpaca festival at Four Acre Farms returns Sept. 22

Four Acres Living will host its fourth annual alpaca festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 22, at 32236 Omar Road, Frankford. 

Admission is free with a non-perishable food item that to be donated to Food Bank of Delaware.

Festival goers will be delighted by traditional upbeat Peruvian music performed by Carlos Erazo, born in Ecuador and well known in the Delaware region for his Andean musical talent with a variety of instruments. He will be joined by local drummer Ken Schleifer.

Making their festival debuts will be three alpaca babies born on the farm this summer. Attendees will be able to feed Angelic Serenade, Simply Lovely and Coya (meaning “queen” in the pre-Incan language). These newcomers join the other 44 alpacas who call the farm home. “The summer babies are very cute,” said Liz Ferguson, co-owner with her husband Jose Ferguson.

“The festival is a really happy family thing. There’s a certain amount of joy to it,” said Liz. “Last year, we donated over 900 pounds of food and an additional $800 to feed the hungry.”

Having raised alpacas in Delaware for nine years, the Fergusons moved their farm four years ago from Selbyville to Frankford where they have the room to expand. The alpaca farm now houses a retail store that sells high quality alpaca goods, accessories and unique products designed on the farm. Compared with wool, alpaca fiber is warmer, weighs less and is more durable. A naturally hypoallergenic product, alpaca fiber is soft like cashmere but stronger.

Dozens of vendors will bring handmade items to sell. Kid-friendly attractions include face painting, pony rides and plenty of room to play and run. Food trucks will be on site.

Parking is easy and attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and enjoy a great time on the farm. For more information, go to fouracresliving.com.