Two new llamas recently arrived at Island Alpaca Company, recruited by owner Barbara Ronchetti who is hoping they will help protect the alpaca herd against the Island’s coyote population.

With warm days around the corner, it’s summer haircut time for the herd at Island Alpaca.

Blue balloons were flying Wednesday at Island Alpaca, where the first baby alpaca (called a cria) of the season was born at 9:05 a.m.

Island Alpaca had a strong showing last week at the 99th annual Eastern States Exposition held in West Springfield.

A break in at the Island Alpaca Farm in Oak Bluffs last week left one alpaca injured and several fences damaged, the farm’s owner said on Tuesday. Oak Bluffs police are investigating the incident.

Shearing day is set for Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. There will be fiber demonstrations and refreshments available while you watch the alpacas get their annual haircut.

Shearing Day is from noon to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 14 at Island Alpaca. The event features the newest alpaca babies, also referred to as cria, getting their first shave. August, after all, can be hot, especially for those with fur.

Admission is $5 per person.

For more information, visit islandalpaca.com or call 508-693-5554.

Island Alpaca will be holding a Thanksgiving weekend open house from Nov. 22 through 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Island Alpaca is a 20-acre farm that hosts an untold number of alpacas and one llama. Visitors can wander about on their own self-guided tour through the grounds and inside the post-and-beam barn where everything alpaca, from sweaters to hats, dolls and socks, awaits. For anyone feeling especially ambitious, the alpacas themselves are for sale. After all, Christmas is just around the corner.

Alpaca Farm Open House

The Island Alpaca Farm on Head of the Pond Road in Oak Bluffs will hold pre-holiday open houses on Sunday, Nov. 18 and Sunday, Nov. 25 from noon to 4 p.m. Besides offering products from the farm, the open houses will provide snacks and hot cider. More information is available by visiting islandalpaca.com.

Heather Welch of Island Alpaca Co. appeared in person to receive her award for winning the photo contest to be published in the 2009 Massachusetts agriculture calendar. Two of her photographs will appear in the 2009 calendar.

The ceremonies took place yesterday, Sept. 18, at the Big E Fairgrounds in West Springfield.