ALPACAS OF MINNESOTA
AOBA Certified Alpaca Fleece Show
May 11-12, 2008
Third Annual Fleece Show

Alpacas of Minnesota is hosting our third annual AOBA Certified Alpaca fleece show.

Our Fleece Show will again be held in conjunction with Shepherd's Harvest. Everyone is invited to visit Shepherd's Harvest in Lake Elmo, Minnesota and see all the great alpaca fleeces in the competition.

New in 2008 will be an Alpaca Yarn Skein contest. Spinners: This is a chance to have your handspun (or millspun if you are a mill) skeins judged by experiences spinners. Below are the rules and entry forms for the Skein Competition.

Also new for 2008 will be a retail booth. Here the Alpacas of Minnesota members will be selling their fleeces, roving and yarn. Fiber artists be warned: bring a drool cloth! You won't be able to resist the luxury of alpaca fiber!

Full fleeces shorn between April 25, 2007 and May 9, 2008 can be entered in the fleece show. Alpaca Breeders: please plan on showing your best fleeces. Below are the rules and forms needed to enter the Alpaca Fleece Show.

For more info on this show, or more about alpacas and their fleeces come to: www.alpacasofmn.com

Alpaca Fleece Show

• This is an AOBA Certified fleece show all rules and guidelines must comply with the 2008 AOBA Show Division Handbook.
• For membership information or to join the Show Division in lieu of paying the non-AOBA Show Division member fee of $75 per show fee, contact the AOBA Office at 615-834-4195 or visit the website www.alpacainfo.com. Print form, chose AOBA membership and option #3, show division membership.
• All fleeces entered in the Show must be from alpacas registered by the Alpaca Registry,Inc. (ARI).
• Copies of ARI registration certificates must be included with entries
• Buyer’s Permission to Show Forms are accepted if properly executed by owner shown on ARI certificate
• Color Check is required as part of fleece check in and fleeces may be moved to a more appropriate class.
• Limit of three fleeces per owner (individual(s)/farm/entity) per breed type (Huacaya and Suri), per age division, per color designation.
• Entries must be postmarked by April 18, 2008 and received by April 24, 2008. Entries postmarked after that date will be returned.
• Fleeces will be combined into color groups according to show size under AOBA Color Combining rules (same as halter) See chart in the current AOBA Show Handbook
• No refunds, substitutions or changes allowed after April 24, 2008.
• Mail-in fleeces accepted. Fleeces mailed back only if appropriate fee in enclosed with entry. Not responsible for lost or damaged fleeces.
• NOTE: Color Championships require 10 for huacaya and 8 for suri.

  ENTRIES WITH INCOMPLETE INFORMATION OR INCORRECT PAYMENT AMOUNTS WILL BE RETURNED FOR CORRECTION PLEASE CHECK YOUR ENTRIES CAREFULLY.

Fleece Show Entry Rules as a Word Doc.
Fleece Show Entry Rules in PDF format.
Fleece Show Entry Form as a Word Doc.
Fleece Show Entry Form in PDF format.
Fleece Show Entry Tag as a Word Doc.
Fleece Show Entry Tag in PDF format.

2008 Shepherd’s Harvest Fiber Festival
Alpaca Fiber Skein Competition - Rules and Guidelines

Hand Spun Skein:

1. Entries must be submitted in the name of the spinner
   • A completed entry tag must be placed in a plain clear zipper type gallon size bag with the skein.
2. Skeins must have been completed during the last year.
3. Hand spun skeins will be divided by group (Beginner Spinner, Intermediate Spinner, and Advanced Spinner), category (Yarn spun from commercially prepared fiber, and yarn spun fiber hand prepared), and class (classic yarn, hand spindle, and novelty yarn).
4. Exhibitor may enter 2 skeins per group/category/class provided they are of different fiber preparations.
5. Skeins must be at least fifty (50) yards in length, 1½ to 2 yards in circumference, neatly wound, “figure 8” tied in 4 places and placed in a plain zipper type gallon-sized plastic bag.
6. Each item must be accompanied by a written construction description that includes fiber preparation, fiber content, techniques, etc. This construction description shall not exceed a 3”x5” card and must not included identifying information.
7. Judging criteria:
   • Items will be judged anonymously with points given for visual appeal (luster/brightness, cleanliness, color, skein appearance), handle, craftsmanship, cohesiveness (amount of twist and execution appropriate number of plys, diameter of yarn, structurally durable), consistent application technique (dyeing/blending, novelty technique and plying technique), construction description (yarn suitable for intended use, and fiber preparation techniques).
              - 1^st - 3^rd place ribbons will be awarded in each group/category/class.
   • Classes may be combined if less than 4 entries per class are received.
   • The Judge may change the category/class of an item at his/her discretion.
   • There shall be no ties in scores.
   • Judges’ decisions are final.

Mill Spun Skein:

1. Mill Spun competition will be divided by categories (skeins entered by a Mill demonstrating their best work, and skeins entered by an individual Farm showing the quality of yarn from their fiber) and classes (finer yarns, light/medium yarns, bulky yarns, novelty yarns).
2. Entries must be submitted in the name of the Mill or Farm depending upon the Category.
3. Skein must have been completed during the last year.
4. Each exhibitor may enter 2 entries per category/class provided they are from different production runs and/or dye lots.
5. Skeins must be at 100 yards in length, 1½ to 2 yards in circumference, neatly wound, “figure 8” tied in 4 places and placed in a zipper type gallon size clear plastic bag.
6. Identifying information or labels on items is prohibited.
7. Judging criteria:
   • Items will be judged anonymously with points given for visual appeal (luster/brightness, cleanliness, color, skein appearance), handle, craftsmanship, cohesiveness (amount of twist and execution, appropriate number of plys, uniformity, structural durability), and consistent application technique (dyeing/blending, novelty technique, and plying technique).
   • 1^st – 3^rd place ribbons will be awarded in each category/class.
   • The Judge or Show Superintendent may change the category/class of an item at his/her discretion.
   • Classes may be combined if less that 4 entries per class are received.
   • There shall be no ties in scores.
   • Judge’s decisions are final.

Additional Notes:

• Items must be left on display until Sunday, May 11, 2008 at 3 p.m. Pick up is Sunday between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Note: Written authorization is required for someone other than the Exhibitor to pick up the item.
• Note: Although every precaution will be taken to handle these items with care, Fiber Festival staff and/or Skein Competition organizers will not be held responsible for lost or stolen articles.
• Mail Back Instructions: If you are not able to personally pick up your entry(s) or assign an authorization person to do so, and wish to have your entry(s) and awards returned to you, please note you must include a return postage and handling fee of $6.00 with your entry fee. This postage/handling fee is a one time charge and will cover all your entries.
• Entries not picked up or without the return postage fee will not be returned.

Entry Fees:

• $16.00 per item in Hand Spun Skein Division.
• $16.00 per item in Mill Spun Skein Division.
• $6.00 return postage and handling if entries are not to be picked up on Sunday, May 11, 2008 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Note: This is a one time charge and covers all entries submitted by an individual farm or mill.

  Skein Contest Entry Rules as a Word Doc.
  Skein Contest Entry Rules in PDF format.
  Skein Contest Entry Form as a Word Doc.
  Skein Contest Entry Form in PDF format.
  Skein Contest Class List as a Word Doc.
  Skein Contest Class List in PDF format.
  Skein Contest - Handspun Entry Tags as a Word Doc.
  Skein Contest - Handspun Entry Tags in PDF format.
  Skein Contest - Handspun Scorecard as a Word Doc.
  Skein Contest - Handspun Scorecard in PDF format.
  Skein Contest - Millspun Entry Tags as a Word Doc.
  Skein Contest - Millspun Entry Tags in PDF format.
  Skein Contest - Millspun Scorecard as a Word Doc.
  Skein Contest - Millspun Scorecard in PDF format.