Who knew? There is a herd of rare Suri Alpacas in Elgin, IL. Check out the Waldron Grove Alpaca Farm and see the live animals as well as some of the most creative artwork around.
For anyone interested in learning more about Alpacas, Susan and Ron Waldron, owners of Waldron Grove Alpaca Farm invite the public to visit their Alpacas at their open house on Sept. 25 & 26, 2010 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There is no admission fee. Follow signs for parking. This is a national Alpaca Day. There will be fiber demonstrations by several fiber artists.
Ron and Susan raise, breed, and sell these intriguing animals year round and love to share their alpaca experience. Some have won national awards. Alpacas have a lifespan of 15-20 years. There are only about 30,000 Suri Alpacas in the world.
The Waldron’s have owned the farm since 2003. They are now a premier Suri breeder. They have delivered baby Alpacas, called crias, raised them, fed them, had them shorn, cleaned, dyed the fiber and designed the felt art. Alpacas are a smaller – and friendlier – version of Llamas. These animals are very gentle and smart. “Every animal is named, loved, and has a special personality”, Susan says.
Susan was an interior designer who worked with textiles but has always been interested in Alpacas. Ron sold wholesale and retail candy and has always loved animals. The farm seemed a perfect fit for their retirement enjoyment. Alpacas are grown for their fleece which Susan describes as a combination of silk and cashmere. It is a luxurious fiber, similar to sheep’s wool but lighter and warmer. It contains no lanolin, making Alpaca fiber naturally hypoallergenic.
The farmhouse, built in 1875, is located at 39W856 McDonald Road in Elgin, just 2.6 miles west of Randall Road. They charge no admission fee and there is always plenty to do. The Alpacas themselves are a delight to see. Also on display for viewing or purchasing is fiber art, alpaca fiber, tapestries, custom clothing, and felting kits. Beyond the art and the alpacas, the Waldron grounds have an abundance of flowers and native grasses. Their gardens feature mostly plants that normally grow in the Midwest and do not require special care.
For more information on the animals, or the artwork created from their fiber, contact Susan Waldron at susan@insnet.com or visit the website susanwaldronart.com. To visit the farm other than during the open house, please call 847-888-3934 for availability.
