This AOBA Certified show will be October 24 & 25, 2009 in Syracuse, New York. Halter show judging will be on a 60/40 basis. October 23 will be the check-in day. We have again reserved the Toyota Exhibit Center which is the largest building within the fairgrounds. It is modern, heated and 115,000 square feet. This is a first class building for our first class show.

The Empire Alpaca Association is very proud to sponsor this show. We know our many volunteers will put together an awesome event. We have assembled four impressive judges for the show. The Halter rings will be judged by Jill MacLeod, Amanda VandenBosch, Tim Lavan. The Performance classes will be guided by Wade Geese. The Extravaganza will be running four rings again in 2009. Halter classes will run in three rings and the fourth ring will be dedicated to youth and performance classes. We believe that the dedication to and increase in youth and performance will increase the excitement of the show, involvement of our children and be fun for all. So gather up your children or 4-h’ers and bring them for some fun. If you are interested in signing up children for youth classes, entries are made in the name of the child on the specified entry form.

Other events planned during the weekend include: educational seminars with exciting topics, which will interest first timers, as well as, seasoned veterans; Friday Night Meet and Greet Reception; Saturday Night Barbecue and a Herdsire Showcase, so farms may spotlight the men in their barns. We will also continue to ask our Empire Members to bring your best end products to sell in our EAA Product booth. As usual, we will promote this show very heavily throughout the northeast and we expect large masses of public to stop by and hopefully shop. This year we are excited to be again running a silent Auction, in which all of the proceeds will benefit a selected alpaca related non-profit.

On behalf of the Show Committee, I would like to invite you to come to this event to showcase your breeding program and to hob knob with your fellow alpaca owners. This year our on-line registration will go live August in early August so be ready and we will see you in Syracuse.

See the "Highlights" below for additional information and check back to this site in July when we posted additional detailed information.

Sincerely,

Scott Young
Show Coordinator

Dates: Check-in: Friday October 23; Show: Saturday & Sunday October 24 & 25. We will be moving up the check in time from last year's 1PM to 10AM. This should spread out the check ins and make things go more smoothly.

Judges and preliminary assignments: Tim Lavan (all suris, brown huacaya males, all grey, indefinite and multi huacayas); Amanda VandenBosch (all other huacaya males), Jill MacLeod (all other huacaya females); Wade Geese (performance). Judging will be done on a 60/40 basis.

Online registration opens: August 15 for Platinum & Gold sponsors (email me at Spruceridgefarm@aol.com in advance for a link); August 30 for general registration.

Pricing: Stall and entry prices remain the same as 2008. Main building will be $200 for stalls 1-5 and $250 for stalls 6-10. Second building stalls are $150. Entry fees are $38. Empire members receive a $25 discount on the first stall. Credit cards are accepted.

Sponsorships: Platinum, Gold and Silver sponsors can stretch out their sponsorship payments over time to assist with budgeting efforts. See also information below under the Saturday Night Cocktail Party in case you are interested in sponsoring that event. For more information on sponsorships, click on the sponsor information at the right.

Additional stalls added: We are reconfiguring the main building to allow more stalls.

Member Product Booth: A "member store" where members can sell their products

Vendors: Expanding the number of clothing vendors and creating a "vendor village" where all of the vendors will be located. Vendors will sign up online this year.

Selling at stalls: Exhibitors are permitted to sell items from their farm display stalls

Fiber Corner: Place where we will have fiber arts demonstrations throughout the weekend for members and the public.

Expanded marketing efforts: To attract more public to the show, your stalls, the Product Booth and the vendors, we are expanding our marketing efforts to attracvt more public.

Annual Meeting: The Annual Meeting for Empire Alpaca Association will take place Saturday at approximately 6PM, after the rings close for the night.

Saturday Night Cocktail Party: We will do the cocktail party again this year after the annual meeting in the show rings with heavy hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. If your farm is interested in hosting the cocktail party ($2,500 sponsorship), you will receive all of the benefits of a Platinum sponsor PLUS several additional benefits including promotional signs and materials at the cocktail party and a free Platinum sponsorship ($500 value) at the 2010 Educational Symposium & Fleece Event.

Seminars: Education seminars will be available free to the public and exhibitors.

Silent Auction: Breedings to top herd sires and various alpaca products and supplies will be auctioned off. Please contact me at Spruceridgefarm@aol.com if you wish to make a donation.

Show Superintendent: Melissa Young-Crozet is returning as the show superintendent.