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The 8th
Annual Riley Llamas Open House
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was a huge success. The event took place
Saturday September 18, 1999 from 1-6pm. The weather was beautiful with
lots of sunshine, a gentle breeze and temperatures in the lower 70's.
Almost 2,000 visitors attended. Join us as we take a virtual walk-thru
this year's open house.
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| Here
we are at the Riley Llamas Open House! We've been looking forward to it
ever since we saw the sign hanging on the fence about a month ago. We drive
thru a large gate into one of the many large pastures on the Riley farm.
We park in front of the main barn and are amazed at all the cars that are
here. There must be at least three hundred people here already and it's
only 1:30. We eagerly walk to the barn and are greeted by Colleen Riley
who gives us an information sheet about llamas and the history of Riley
Llamas. She also has coloring
sheets for the kids. She informs us that a baby llama has just been born
an hour before the open house started, and we will be able to see it. |
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we walk through the impressive barn we stop to admire some of the ribbons
they have won at shows this year. There are also lots of informational posters
hung up to teach us the basics about llamas such as why they make great
pets and what special features they have. I even see a board where you can
write down what you would name a llama. Inside one of the stalls is a beautiful
display explaining the many uses of llamas with lots of pictures. Their
two hersires Amigo de Peru and Dreamweaver are on display in the barn stalls.
As we walk out the back of the barn we see the brand new baby llama,
called a cria. She is so cute. The mother looks very protective, but we
get to see her stand up and nurse. She is so small and fluffy. We are amazed
she is so strong for only a few hours old! On the other side of the fence
in another smaller pasture are all of this years babies with their mothers.
They are fun to watch as they run around and play. |
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We
continue along on the walking tour to the backyard where there is an obstacle
course set up.We watch some of the 4-Hers take the llamas they trained
over and around the various obstacles. They even come up and answer questions
and let us pet the llama they are walking. We enter a garage attached to
a large storage building and are pleased to find free refreshments!
We enjoy a cold Coke and some freshly popped popcorn as we sit down to watch
a llama video they have playing. The room is full of neat llama pictures,
magazines, and llama collectibles. |
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see lots of families sitting in the orchard enjoying the beautiful weather
and refreshments as we walk out of the garage. |
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next stop on the tour is the other large barn where lots of people are gathered.
As we enter there are lots of posters on display covering many aspects of
llama care and training. It is very informative as we learn about how to
halter a llama, how to keep llamas cool in the summer, what a llama show
is like, and lots of other interesting topics. There is a long line for
the walk a llama. The wait is worth it as we finally get our chance
to walk a gentle, loving llama. The soft and fuzzy young llama even kisses
us as we say goodbye to it. |
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enjoy seeing the inside of the trailers that are on display. Both
of them are air-conditioned and one even has a stereo inside for the llamas.
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The last stop on our tour is a room in the
large barn full of people working with wool. Some of the 4-Hers
are felting the wool. They lay the wool out flat, pour soapy water on
it, and rub. The end product is a very soft piece of felt with
all the beautiful colors of a llama.
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are two other ladies using spinning wheels to spin the wool
in a soft, silky yarn. Also, in the room are supplies they use for the llamas.
We see displays of the food they eat, tools used to keep their wool clean,
and other items for veterinary care. There is a pack saddle on display,
and someone tells us that llamas make great hiking buddies. |
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are sure llamas make great pets and have learned so much about these
gentle animals today. As we leave, we say a grateful "Thank You, and See
You Next Year!" |
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