It’s alpaca-shearing time at Granite Falls farm

GRANITE FALLS — A herd of alpacas will receive their annual haircuts over the course of two days, and everyone is invited to watch.

All 13 of the Huacaya alpacas at Paca Pride Guest Ranch, 28311 Mountain Loop Highway, are scheduled to be shorn June 30 and July 1. The shearing is set to begin at 10 a.m. on both days and last until about 5 p.m. or until the work is completed.

The event will be the third public shearing held at the ranch since its official opening in 2010, owner David Capocci said.

The 17-acre homestead campground offers “glamping” or upscale camping in furnished yurts and platforms for tent camping.

There is no admission fee to enjoy the shearing days and tours will be offered, Capocci said.

Shearing takes anywhere from 30 to 40 minutes per animal.

A portion of this year’s clip is scheduled to go to Superior Fibers, a mill in Edmonds, to be turned into yarns and rovings. The materials will be returned to the ranch later this summer and used to create products sold in the ranch store.

“Last year’s clip has already sold,” Capocci said. “We don’t have any homespun stuff. That goes really fast.”

People who come to watch the shearing can bring their lunch and eat on the property, or picnic somewhere else along the Mountain Loop Highway. Past shearing days have attracted a steady stream of people, Capocci said.

“People drive on in and check us out and then continue on with their tour of the Mountain Loop,” he said. “We’ve also got a million-dollar view of Mount Pilchuck.”

Amy Daybert: 425-339-3491; adaybert@heraldnet.com.

Shearing June 30, July 1 at Paca Pride

Paca Pride Guest Ranch at 28311 Mountain Loop Highway in Granite Falls is planning to host shearing days June 30 and July 1. A herd of 13 Huacaya alpacas are set to be shorn over the course of the two days. The shearing is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on both days. For more information go to www.PacaPride.com or the Paca Pride Guest Ranch Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/PacaPride.