More than 300 alpacas will compete in the combined Great Midwest Alpaca Festival (GMAF) and the Wisconsin Alpaca & Fiber Fest (WisAFF). With a successful first year, the two halter shows and walking fleece show return this spring to Madison’s Alliant Energy Center for a fun and competitive two-show weekend. ?

A collaboration between the Great Lakes Alpaca Association and The Great Midwest Alpaca Festival, the weekend offers something for everyone. There will be fiber arts contests, fiber classes, and seminars for those interested in learning more about alpacas. More than 50 vendors will offer yarn, roving, fiber equipment, and alpaca-themed items for sale as well as soaps, baskets and other hand-crafted items. The weekend is free and open to the public. Parking is $8.

Show Schedule:

Friday, April 26, 2024 (Breeders & Vendors)

Noon-6 pm: Exhibitor Check-in, Vet Check & Color Check

Noon-6 pm: Vendor setup

4-8 pm: Breeders' Meet and Greet

6 pm: Judges' Color Verification

6:15 pm: Exhibitor Meeting

9 pm: Doors close for the day

Saturday, April 27, 2024

7 am: Doors open to breeders and vendors

8 am: Judging begins

8 am: Doors open to public

8:30-10:00 am: "Alpaca Health and Nutrition," Dr. Raul Landeo. Free

9:00 am-4:00 pm: "Just Weave: An Introduction to Weaving," Nancy Wilson, Laurie Thalacker and Mark Aycock. Class fee: $95

9-10:30 am: "Wet Felted Soaps," Bethanea Kottwitz. Class fee: $20

10:30 am-noon – "How Sorting Maximizes your Fleece Production," Georgia Meyer. Free

11 am-12:30 pm: "Penny Mat Gnome," Bethanea Kottwitz, Class fee: $20

12:30 pm: "Parasites, Good Practices and Prevention," Dr. Don Bliss. Free

1-2:30 pm: "Wet Felted Geodes Soap," Bethanea Kottwitz. Class fee: $20

5 pm: Judging concludes for the day and doors close to the public.

6 pm: Happy Hour, dinner and fashion show for breeders

9 pm: Doors close for the day

Sunday, April 28, 2024

7 am: Doors open to breeders and vendors

8 am: Judging resumes

8 am: Doors open to public

8:00-9:30 am: "The Wonderful World of Alpaca Yarn," Rachel Boucher. Free

9-10:30 am: "Drop Spindle Class" (Details to come)

10-11:30 am: "Alpaca 101: From Start up to Championships," Kevin Stoer

11 am-12:30 pm: "Needle Felted Gnomes," Bethanea and Karen Kottwitz. Class fee: $20

Noon-1:30 pm: "The Benefit of Belonging to GLAA." Free

1-3 pm: "Wet Felted Soap," Bethanea Kottwitz Class fee: $20

3 pm: Show concludes

Date:
April 27-28, 2024

Location:
Alliant Energy Center,
1919 Alliant Energy Center Way,
Madison, WI 53713.

Click here for More Information