12 & 13 July at Hamilton Showgrounds, Victoria
NOW OPEN FOR ENTRIES!
www.ealpaca.com.au
Victorian Central Region and convenor, Sue Harris, look forward to welcoming you to Alpacafest – returning to Hamilton this year after an eight-year pause!
USEFUL INFORMATION:
· The Judges for Alpacafest this year will be Peter Kennedy Gane and Jonathon Provis Vincent.
· Alpacafest will be held the weekend before entries for the National Alpaca Show close on 20 July 2025.
· Arrival - Alpacas may be delivered to the Sheep Pavillion at Hamilton Showgrounds (where Alpacafest will be held) between 3.00pm and 7.00pm on Friday, 11 July or outside those hours by arrangement with the Convenor. The Sheep Pavillion is large enough for us to allow cars and floats to be driven into it and animals to be unloaded under cover as quickly and efficiently as possible. We recommend that those people unloading animals wear hi-vis gear as vehicles will be moving in and out of the pavilion under supervision.
· Camping - Southern Grampians Shire has a firm policy that camping is not permitted at the Showgrounds unless approval is granted beforehand. Approval might be granted where owners and their animals or participants and their equipment cannot be accommodated at other camping facilities. We have applied in writing for approval to allow exhibitors to camp onsite if they wish and have been advised that a permit to camp may be granted provided that campers are camping in self-contained vehicles and that a formal permit is applied for and a permit fee paid. If you wish to camp in the Showgrounds please contact the Convenor as soon as possible to discuss. If a significant number of people wish to camp, VCR may consider applying for a camping permit and paying the requisite permit fee. As an alternative, Hamilton Caravan Park is located across the road from Hamilton Showgrounds.
· Dinner on the Saturday evening - We will not be holding a show dinner or drinks for Alpacafest. Instead, we have arranged with Alexandra House at 134 Brown Street, Hamilton, close to the Showgrounds, to reserve a number of tables for dinner on the Saturday night. If you wish to get together for dinner all you need to do is to enter the number of people you are booking for under the special class “Dinner Reservation for Saturday evening”. There is no charge for the reservation. The convenor will then firm up the number of reservations and finalize the booking with the names of those who have booked. On the night you will simply find a seat on the reserved tables and pay only for whatever you order. There is an outside chance that Alexandra House will receive a firm booking for a private function between now and when our booking is finalized, in which case the convenor will try to find another venue for those who have booked. We have asked Alexandra House for their winter menu and will forward a copy of it once we receive it.
· Penning – We are transporting AAA alpaca pen panels from Bendigo for Alpacafest. While this is more expensive than hiring sheep pen panels from Hamiton P & A Society, we feel that the alpacas will be safer and more comfortable and therefore you, as exhibitors, will be more relaxed! (The convenor will be more relaxed too!)
· Sponsorships for Supremes, Championships and Best in Colour – To help the show break even we are seeking sponsorships as follows:
o Supremes – Huacaya and Suri $100 each
o Championships - all Age groups, Huacaya and Suri $50 each
o Best in Colour – White, Light Fawn, Medium/Dark Fawn, Brown, Roan, Grey, Black and Fancy (single sponsorship per colour for both Huacaya and Suri) $50
If you are interested in sponsoring any of these categories please contact the Convenor.
· Advertising Opportunities – We are offering five opportunities to advertise stud males for services both in the Event Catalogue and at the Promotions Desk at the show. Advertisers will also get special mentions during the show. In return, we are seeking a contribution equal to half the stud fee (not including any GST charged on it) of the first service per stud sire sold through this promotion. This means that, if this promotion gets you five sales of stud services of the male you promote, you will contribute only half the price of the first service sold.
· Recently, a prospective exhibitor told our convenor that Alpacafest was always a friendly show. We hope to continue, and improve on, Alpacafest’s friendly reputation. If you have any questions or we can help you with your arrangements to attend Alpacafest in any way, please call or email the Convenor and she will do her best to assist you.
· VCR has some gas heaters and these will be deployed at strategic spots centred on the show ring but remember that July in Hamilton can be a bit chilly so bring plenty of warm clothes. Tea, instant coffee, drinking chocolate and an urn will be available all day each day to help you warm up!
Convenor contact details:
Sue Harris Mobile: 0402 032 474, Email:
b255eCB8IG9ueXhhbHBhY2FzICEgY29tICEgYXU=
Special thanks to our VCR Secretary, Naydia Attrill, for creating our brand new Alpacafest Logo!
Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Hamilton, Sports events in Hamilton.
