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Photo of the Alliant Energy Center Coliseum taken by Beth Skogen at a past Great Midwest Alpaca Festival.
Wisconsin Alpaca & Fiber Fest and The Great Midwest Alpaca Festival
New Holland Pavilion 1 at the Alliant Energy Center, Madison
April 29 & 30, 2023
After two years of cancellations due to the pandemic, the Wisconsin Alpaca & Fiber Fest (WisAFF) returns bigger and better than ever with the resurrection of The Great Midwest Alpaca Festival (GMAF) and a return to Madison for a double show weekend. This show is a collaboration between the Great Lakes Alpaca Association and the Great Midwest Alpaca Festival and is free and open to the public. Parking is $8.
More than 300 alpacas are expected to compete in this premier alpaca halter and walking fleece show. In addition to the halter and walking fleece shows, there will be fiber arts contests, fiber classes, and seminars for those interested in learning more about alpacas. Vendors will have yarn, roving, fiber equipment, and alpaca-themed items as well as soaps, baskets and other hand-crafted items for sale.
2023 Show Schedule
Friday, April 28, 2023 (Breeders & Vendors)
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Noon-6 p.m. – Exhibitor Check-in, Vet Check & Color Check
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Noon-6 p.m. – Vendor setup
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4-8 p.m. – Breeders' social time
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6 p.m. – Judges' Color Verification
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6:15 p.m. – Exhibitor Meeting
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9 p.m. – Doors close for the day
Saturday, April 29, 2023
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7 a.m. – Doors open to breeders and vendors
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8 a.m. – Judging begins
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8 a.m. – Doors open to public
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9-11 a.m. – "Alpaca Health 101"
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11 a.m.-noon – "Alpacas – Dollars and Sense"
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12:30-1:30 p.m. – "Raising Alpacas – Everything
You Need to Know" -
2-3 p.m. – "How to Sort and Grade Fiber"
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5 p.m. – Judging concludes for the day and doors
close to the public. -
6 p.m. – Dinner and fashion show for breeders
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9 p.m. – Doors close for the day
Sunday, April 30, 2023
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7 a.m. – Doors open to breeders and vendors
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8 a.m. – Judging Resumes
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8 a.m. – Doors open to public
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8:30 a.m. – "The Advantage of Joining the Alpaca
Owners Association in Growing Your Business" -
10-11 a.m. – "The ABCs of Processing Your Fiber"
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11:30 a.m. – "All About Fleece Spin-offs"
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3 p.m. – Show concludes
Judges
WisAFF Halter Judge: Stephanie Glyptis
WisAFF Walking Fleece Judge: Ken Hibbits
GMAF Halter Judge: Kevin O'Leary
Show Superintendents
Halter Show Superintendent: Elizabeth Bernard
Walking Fleece Show Superintendent: Mary Curtis
Sign up here to volunteer
for the show. Questions?
Contact:
Steve & Sandy Clemons
New Holland Pavilion 1
The combined Wisconsin Alpaca and Fiber Fest and Great Midwest Alpaca Festival will be held at the New Holland Pavilion 1 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. The new 90,000-square-foot facility is heated for year-round use and offers outdoor walkways. The facility will easily house two show rings and more than 50 vendors under one roof.
Hotel Information
There's a lot happening in Madison the last weekend in April so make your hotel reservations early.
Clarion Suites at the Alliant Energy Center is one of two host hotels. Ask for the Alpaca and Fiber Festival rooms to receive a discounted rate. Book a room online or call 608-284-1234 or 608-284-9401 to make a reservation. The Clarion will offer a cold breakfast beginning at 6 a.m. followed by a hot breakfast buffet at 6:30 a.m.
A block of rooms has also been reserved for the show at the Home2 Suites Madison Central, a second host hotel located across the street from the Alliant Energy Center on Rimrock Road. Reservations may be made by calling the Hilton reservations line at 800-445-8667 or booking online here. Use the code WAF or mention the WI Alpaca and Fiber Festival to receive a discount. The deadline is March 15, 2023 for the discount.
A list of other nearby accommodations can be found here.
Contact the Alliant Energy Center to reserve a campsite or an RV hook-up.
COVID-19: The show will comply with any applicable COVID recommendations at the time of the show.
Show Board of Directors
Pam Warriner, Wensleydale Farms Alpacas, Co-President
Margery Morack, Greenbriar Farm, Co-President and Sponsor Coordinator
Marcus Skildum, Mesa Trail Alpacas, Vice President & Show Manager
Tom Olson, Fevolden Farm Alpacas, Treasurer
Mark Shillcox, Shillcox Shamrock Lines, Secretary & Seminar Coordinator
GLAA Board of Directors
Leslie Herzog, Herzog Alpacas, President
Kevin Stoer, Londondairy Alpacas, Vice President
Chris Rogers, Whisper Meadows Alpacas, Secretary
Jan Clingman, Lodi Alpacas at Whistling Valley Farm, Treasurer
Elden Harms, Token Creek Alpacas
Show Volunteers
Jerry & Wendy Campbell, Justorian Alpacas, Barn Managers
Kathy Nauta, Five Oaks Farm, Registrar
Becky McMillan, Magic Willows Alpacas, Vendor Coordinator
Steven and Sandy Clemons, Double S Alpaca, Volunteer Coordinators
Elden Harms, Token Creek Alpacas, Chair, Ad Hoc Committee
Mindy Huitt, Galpaca Farm, Silent Auction Coordinator
Lynne Johnson, Sauk Creek Alpacas, Web Manager
Raul Landeo, Hillsboro Alpaca Ranch, Veterinarian
ABOUT
WisAFF & GLAA
The Great Midwest Alpaca Festival (doing business as the Wisconsin Alpaca & Fiber Fest) is a nonprofit association registered in the state of Wisconsin.
I agree to hold harmless the Alliant Energy Center, Dane County, and the Great Midwest Alpaca Festival Board of Directors and committee members as well as the Great Lakes Alpaca Association Board of Directors from any damage or loss, or liability of any kind whatsoever.
Directions
The Alliant Energy Center is located at the gateway to downtown Madison, WI, just off the Beltline (Hwy 12 & 18), on John Nolen Drive. It is just five minutes from Interstate 90/94 via Hwy 12 & 18, minutes from the Wisconsin State Capitol, Madison’s State Street area, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and 15 minutes from the Dane County Airport.
The Alliant Energy Center is situated near three major metro areas – 250 miles from Minneapolis, MN, 145 miles from Chicago, IL, and 75 miles from Milwaukee, WI.
From Chicago (South)
I-90 to exit 142A, west on Hwy. 12/18, 5 miles to Rimrock Rd. exit 262
From Green Bay (North)
I-90 to exit 142A, west on Hwy. 12/18, 5 miles to Rimrock Rd. exit 262
From Milwaukee (East)
I-94 West, I-90 South to exit 142A, west on Hwy. 12/18 to Rimrock Rd. exit 262
From Minneapolis (West)
I-90 South to exit 142A, west on Hwy. 12/18 to Rimrock Rd. exit 262
From Des Moines (South)
I-80 East to I-380 North, north on Hwy. 151 to Hwy. 12/18E, exit at Rimrock Rd. exit 262
Entrances
There are four entrances to the Center: the Main Gate from Rimrock Road on the Southeast; the Nolen Gate from John Nolen Drive on the East; the Olin Gate from Olin Avenue on the North; and the Rusk Gate from Rusk Avenue on the South.
All show activities will be located in the New Holland Pavilion 1, a new addition to the Alliant Energy Center Campus. To reach the New Holland Pavilion 1, use either the John Nolen or Main Entrance.
