BERLIN — Ocean Breeze Alpacas will host an annual open house on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the farm at 10304 Caleb Road in Berlin. In the event of rain, the event will be held Sunday, Oct. 28.
The farm will be open free to the public for tours, demonstrations and activities. Co-owners Nancy and Susan Taylor invite all to come meet their alpacas and visit their Breezy Barn farm store of local alpaca yarn, roving and fibers. Alpaca goods and one-of-a-kind hand knits are also available for sale in the shop, just in time for the holiday gift-giving season.
“We hope everyone can join us on Saturday when we have invited various fiber artists to demonstrate,” said Susan Taylor. “Bring your own project and come create with us under the tent. All spinners, knitters, weavers, etc. are welcome. There will be games, activities, and our popular hayride for the kids and the young at heart. “
Although Saturday is the bigger day of festivities, the Breezy Barn farm store will also open on Sunday, Oct. 28, the last Sunday of the month as usual, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
“Come by and check out our many new items from Classic Alpaca, the New England Alpaca Fiber Pool, and our local consigners,” said Nancy Taylor. “Our hats, scarves, socks, gloves and stuffed alpaca toys make great gift items for the up-coming holidays. You can get an early start on your holiday shopping with our one-of-a-kind local hand-knit items, or purchase some of our own alpaca yarn to start your own projects.”
Nancy and Susan Taylor started their alpaca farm business seven years ago with a herd of seven males purchased in Southern Maryland. The next year the sisters-in-law added nine females and six more males from a local farm in Delaware.
“These cute critters each have a unique personality, and we’d love to give you a tour and introduce you to our current herd of 35 alpacas and five mini llamas. Our alpacas range in age from a few weeks to 14 years old,” said Susan Taylor.
Both Nancy and Susan Taylor love to knit and were excited to have their own alpaca yarn from their animals. Various weights of yarn including, bulky, worsted and fingering in multiple shades are available for your next knit or crochet project. There are also roving and raw fibers available for spinning. Alpaca yarn is hypoallergenic without lanolin. The fibers are hollow, making alpaca warmer and lighter than wool.
“Also available are our popular alpaca knit and crochet kits for one skein projects, which include Ocean Breeze Alpaca yarn with an original pattern,” said Nancy Taylor. “For the pet lover, there are super soft alpaca felted mats and stuffed pillow beds.”