Year of the Alpaca

Aurora Alpacas is a family owned alpaca ranch located in Sturgeon County 10 minutes north of St. Albert. We are fairly new to the industry, having purchased our 1st two alpacas in 2017. Since then we have produced Supreme and Color Champions, which we are extremely proud of. Currently we have 24 alpacas with 5 cria (babies) expected this summer. If you are curious about alpacas, the amazing fiber products and how they are produced, come visit us to learn and experience this unique livestock first hand. Learn to love alpacas like we have: • Get a chance to ask questions, gain 1st-hand knowledge about what makes alpacas so unique, and watch them in the pasture and up close. • Get a chance to handle fiber shorn from the alpaca this past spring, and samples from the various stages of processing fiber into yarn. • Watch a fiber spinning demonstration. Aurora Alpacas have also invited some friends:

• Sunnyhill Alpacas will be on site giving you the opportunity to see and purchase yarn which is made on their farm. They will also have various products made from alpaca yarn and rovings, and everyone's favorite Alpaca Teddy Bears. Sunnyhill Alpacas are celebrating their 25th year in business and also own Twisted Sisters & Company Fiber Mill.
• CBoss Pottery will be on site with wheel thrown and hand built pottery.
• Sabor de los Andes  Latin American Food truck will be on site Sunday August 20th serving authentic Latin American food.

Debit/Credit will be accepted by some vendors. We look forward to sharing our amazing alpacas with you! Farm Rules: • Pets are not allowed to visit the ranch. Please leave them at home. • Children must be supervised at all times. • Alpaca are to be treated with respect. No one is permitted to open gates or to feed the alpaca without permission.

We are an agricultural society which tries to give a rural experience to the urban community. We try to give a broad spectrum of experiences.

• free horse back rides
• cow milking
• hands on animal displays (calves, sheep, goats, alpacas, chickens, ducks, pigs)
• plant identification
• farm safety
• stock dog demonstration
• ice cream making
• butter churning
• grain identification

We will have a dinner starting at 5:00 PM until 7:00 pm-Locally Sourced (featuring Bison)- $20/person Kids 12 and under eat free!

A representative of Chinook Applied Research will answer questions concerning their program. Displays from local farms as well as produce.

 

Do to overwhelming popularity all of our tour bookings have been filled!

We have a small farm store with fresh floral bouquets, Alpaca goods, gifts and more. Please feel free to stop by and browse!

Your visit to Blooms on 7 will allow you to experience a cut flower farm at the height of its growing season! Join us on August 19 and 20th to learn more about our farm and growing your favourite flowers in Alberta. We’re pleased to offer free admission on August 19 and 20.

**Due to the size and nature of our property we can only accommodate visitors who have reserved their spot**

August is the best time for flowers in Alberta and our u-pick garden awaits you! Take some of your new favourites home for $30 per cup. Maybe you’d like to get up close and personal with some of our alpacas? Check out our “Alpaca 101” sessions where you can learn all about raising these inquisitive animals. Interested in the farmers and growing local flowers? The garden tour is just the thing.

We will also have an assortment of products available for purchase including bouquets and arrangements, alpaca fibre socks, hand embroidered artwork, alpaca manure compost, stickers, and buttons. Locally sourced refreshments will also be available.

Schedule of Events:

Due to significant hail damage on Augusts 17th U-Pick is unavailable

Saturday Sessions

These are free 60 minute sessions, registration is required:

• 10:00 AM Garden Tour with owner Brianna

• 4:00 PM Garden Tour with owner Brianna

• 5:00 PM Alpaca 101

• 7:00 PM Alpaca 101

These are free 60 minute sessions, registration is required:

• 10:00 AM Garden Tour with owner Brianna

• 4:00 PM Garden Tour with owner Brianna

• 5:00 PM Alpaca 101

What to expect!

• Farm and garden tour.
• Food tasting/sampling.
• Farm store full of treasures from local growers, farmers, makers and bakers.
• Animals! Alpaca, mini horses, bunnies, hens, cats.
• Console and washer board games.
• Lemonade stand.

Alberta Open Farms Days is an incubator for Agri-tourism and rural sustainability. At Granary Road we bring Albertans together through educational and experiential agricultural-based initiatives to learn about where your food comes from. As well, some of Alberta's most talented makers and rural creators will be sharing their wares in a true farmer’s market. Come to Granary Road to enjoy

• a tour of our crops,
• learn all about beekeeping in Alberta,
• taste some wine from local wineries of the Foothills,
• explore our Garden Centre greenhouse
• and enjoy a corn roast with friends and family.

The Country Market will take place from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. This free public event provides visitors and residents an opportunity to experience local agriculture and food, take part in family friendly activities, and sample the amazing products that Kneehill County and the surrounding area has to offer. The Long Table Dinner will follow the Market at 5:00 pm. Tickets are $150 each and must be purchased ahead of time. The dinner will feature locally sourced and produced food prepared by a renowned chef. Set against the dramatic landscape of the popular Horseshoe Canyon, the Growing Kneehill Country Market & Long Table Dinner will take place on August 19, 2023 featuring local food & beverage producers, artisans and tourism operators, as well as numerous activities and experiences for the whole family. The whole event is tailored to promote local agriculture, food, agri-tourism, and artisans. Most importantly, it provides visitors and residents an opportunity to get connected to local agriculture, and sample the amazing products that Kneehill County and the surrounding area has to offer. To start off the day, the Country Market will take place from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and is a free event for all to enjoy! This public event will highlight some of the amazing local food, and artisan products grown and created in the region, as well as provide an opportunity to connect with local agriculture and rural community. Family friendly activities include inflatable activity centers, lives music, real farm machinery, farm activity and information centers and more! The Long Table Dinner event will follow the Country Market and open to registered guests at 5:00 pm. The dinner will feature locally sourced and produced food prepared by renowned chef Judy Wood, paired with amazing locally sourced beverages. The dinner experience will include live music and presentations from the chef on the elements of the meal all while overlooking the spectacular vistas of Horseshoe Canyon for a truly unique dining experience. The Long Table Dinner event is restricted to ages 18+ as there will be alcohol pairings included with the meal. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets for the Long Table Dinner can be purchased here: Long Table Dinner Tickets.