Rural Baldwin City residents Bob and Claudia Hey will participate in the first-ever “National Alpaca Farm Day” Sept. 29-30.

The Heys operate “Ad Astra Alpacas” just south of Baldwin City at 168 East 1700 Road. Four other area alpaca farms will participate in the event: two near Paola and one each near Spring Hill and Gardner.

For “National Alpaca Farm Day,” breeders from the United States and Canada will open their farms or ranches for people to learn about the inquisitive animals. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days that weekend, the Heys’ farm will be open.

“We would love to have visitors come see our alpacas,” Claudia Hey said. “The first-ever National Alpaca Farm Day would be a good way to get acquainted with alpacas, but we would welcome guests at other times as well. Please call first to make sure we are home.

“We can show visitors how the fleece looks and feels as it comes off the animal, and we have yarn and finished garments.”

The Hey herd consists of 26 alpacas, but five babies are expected this fall. To this point, the Heys have marketed only the animals’ fleece.

For more information, visit www.nationalalpacafarmday.com or call the Heys, (785) 594-6767.