For the past 13 years, on the last weekend in September, the community has had the opportunity to get a closer look at the count’s only active breeding alpaca farm.

This past weekend, Lippencott Alpacas hosted its annual Open House for the general public to learn more about fiber, animal husbandry and alpacas. Lena Gailing, who runs the farm with her husband, said this year’s turnout of 400 people was bolstered by good weather and increased advertising on social media.

“I certainly try and advertise. So, I do try and advertise a little more, but what mainly did it was Facebook,” said Gailing. “I had some help from the tourist office.”

Another factor which Gailing said helped increase participants was the National Alpaca Farm Day. Each year, Gailing strategically hosts her open house on the same weekend of the National Alpaca Farm day, which helps her gain more attention.

“We are very much a part of the national organization and the Pennsylvania organization,” Gailing said. “[The national organization] also advertises, you send in information on what you are going to do to the organization and then they post it.”

Every year Gailing chooses a theme for the open house, this year it was focused on “wishes come true at Lippencott Alpacas.”

“It’s the idea that a lot of people have said ‘oh I really wish I had an alpaca,’” Gailing said. “Well, this way we try to encourage more people to get involved with alpacas, whether it be own them or get involved in the fibers such as spinning, weaving, knitting, crocheting, or felting. But mainly we were trying to sell a lot of our older alpacas.”  

A few months ago, Gailing said she had 31 alpacas on the farm. Today, she has only 14, and was able to sell two alpacas during the open house.

In addition to selling a pair of alpacas during the event, Gailing said business in the farm store was successful. The store was open for people to purchase a wide variety of fiber products, including sweaters, gloves and socks.

“We’re promoting alpaca products, whether its yarn, clothing and socks, of course, are my main best seller in the whole store,” Gailing said.

Since alpaca fiber is more comfortable compared to wool, Gailing said it creates more desirable clothing.

“The difference between alpaca wool and sheep wool is that alpaca fiber is softer and sheep fiber can be itchier than what alpaca fiber would be,” said Gailing. “The main thing is alpaca wicks away water better than sheep wool. Even though it does well, alpaca does better. Your skin is dryer and warmer.”

Going into the Open House, Gailing said she was very encouraged by the response of the community.

“The community supports us 100 percent,” said Gailing. “Every event we go to, people always want to see the alpacas, we are promoted on the radio now and at McCracken Pharmacy. Everyone seems to bend over backwards for us, which is phenomenal. The community has been very good.”