County Seat Newspaper
of Clare County

Santa, Alpacas Brighten the Season

Celebrating Christmas, Alpaca Style

Posted

HARRISON – The owners of Living the Good Life Alpaca Acres at 611 N. Bringold Ave. opened their doors once again Saturday, Dec. 7, welcoming the community to enjoy Christmas with the Alpacas. While last year’s event was akin to enjoying a snow globe – from the inside – this year’s weather was far more moderate.

Santa was onsite again, but this time he brought along Mrs. Claus [what is her first name, anyway?]. The children enjoyed chats with Santa, while parents seized the moment to snap a special photo. Santa’s elves, Marlene and Jessica, were also busy making sure kids received their candy canes, that the hot chocolate and cookies were replenished, generally assuring the event ran smoothly.

Inside the barn, proprietor Sam Keith offered information about the characteristics, habits and behaviors of alpacas and llamas. He also introduced Sammy, this year’s newest little cria. He is a beautiful, deep black, while his mother, Sandy, is a soft beige color.

Also in the barn were the traditional rows of Christmas stockings – each one embellished with the name of a member of the Keiths’ alpaca family – along with the aforementioned alpaca cookies and hot chocolate to help stave off the December chill.

Inside the farm store, snuggly Christmas gifts of hats, scarves, socks and more were being purchased left and right – gifts created by local needle workers who have a true gift from taking simple yarn and twisting it into truly lovely products.

The day even included a tree lighting ceremony. But of course, all the festivities were just the end result of a great deal of preparatory work done by Wendy and Sam Keith along with help from volunteers. Wendy Keith noted that volunteers have seemed to drop off, and that without more volunteer help there may not be a 2020 Christmas with the Alpacas.

But, for this year, the mild yet brisk day did nothing to inhibit the warm smiles on the faces of visitors to the store and to the barn where the ever-charming alpacas entertained and delighted.

For more event photos and information on Living The Good Life Alpaca Acres, visit www.ltglalpacaacres.com, or find them on Facebook.

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