Great Midwest Alpaca Festival

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Linda Olver

Sophie the alpaca.

The Great Midwest Alpaca Festival returns to the Alliant Center April 29-30, 2023.

media release: Welcome to Madison! The Wisconsin Alpaca & Fiber Fest and The Great Midwest Alpaca Festival is a double alpaca halter show, walking fleece show, and fiber fest rolled into one free, fun event, returning this year to the Alliant Energy Center's New Holland Pavillion 1 in Madison. The Great Midwest Alpaca Festival was the original show held in the Coliseum for 11 years. It was moved to West Bend, which had facilities that better met the needs of the show. At the time, the name was changed to the Wisconsin Alpaca and Fiber Fest. It remains one of the most popular alpaca shows in the Midwest.

Everyone enjoys visiting the alpacas, talking to alpaca owners and visiting the more than 50 vendors offering products made from alpaca fiber. There are also many opportunities to watch alpaca fiber being spun into yarn and then used by weavers and knitters to make scarves, shawls, rugs, etc. Vendors offer everything from soaps to yarn, socks, sweaters, and rugs.

You’ll find something for everyone. Watch the competition, visit the alpacas, ask questions of the breeders, attend one of the free seminars and visit the vendors throughout the facility. 

There is no admission but there is a fee for parking. Hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Alpacas can be a bit skittish so we ask that you follow these guidelines to have a good experience.  

Please don't offer food or treats to the alpacas.

Don’t go into the animal stalls without the permission of the owner.

Don’t touch or pet the alpacas without the owner’s help.

Don’t startle the alpacas by yelling or making sudden movements. The alpacas will respond much better if you use a soft and calm voice.

Friday, April 25 (Exhibitors & Vendors)

9 am - 6 pm – Exhibitor Check-in, Vet Check & Color Check

9 am - 6 pm – Vendor setup

4 - 8 pm – Breeders' Meet and Greet

6 pm – Judges' Color Verification

6:15 pm – Exhibitor Meeting

9 pm – Doors close for the day

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Saturday, April 26

7 am – Doors open to exhibitors and vendors

8 am – Judging begins

8 am – Doors open to public

8 am - 5 pm – Vendor area open

9 - 10 am – "What do I do with my Fiber?" Seminar

9 - 10:30 am – "A Taste of Drop Spindle Spinning" Class fee: $40

9 - 10:30 am - "Little Needle Felted Cats" Class fee: $30

9 am - 4 pm – "Just Weave: An Introduction to Weaving" Class fee: $95

9 am - noon – "Intro to Tunisian Crochet" Class fee: $25

11 am - noon – "Alpaca Health & Nutrition" Seminar

11 am -1 2:30 pm – "Sashiko Alpaca" Class fee: $30

1 - 2 pm – "Alpaca 101:  From Startup to Championships" Seminar

1 - 2:30 pm – "Wet Felted Geodes" Class fee: $30

2:30 - 3:30 pm - "Insights into a Fiber Mill" Seminar

1 - 4 pm – "Boho Bead and Fiber Bracelet" Class fee: $40

4:30 pm - BEST HEAD CONTEST & LIVE AUCTION

5 pm – Judging concludes and doors close to the public

6 pm – Exhibitor and Vendor Hospitality & Social Mixer

9 pm – Doors close for the day

Sunday, April 27

7 am – Doors open to exhibitors and vendors 

8 am – Judging resumes

8 am – Doors open to the public

8 am -3 pm – Vendor area open

9 - 10:30 am – "Intermediate Drop Spindle Workshop"  Class fee: $45

9 - 10:30 am – "Felted Soaps"  Class fee: $30

11 am - 12:30 pm – "Little Needle Felted Cats"  Class fee: $30

1 - 2:30 pm – "Wet Felted Geodes"  Class fee: $30

3 pm – Show concludes

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For more complete information on fiber arts sessions and to sign up for a class, visit the Fiber Arts section.