Llamas from all over the state – and their owners — converged on the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds this past weekend for the Llama Association of North America’s (LANA) third annual hobo classic llama show. This winter event is an opportunity for owners to show their llamas as nature intended them, fuzzy, dirty and happy.

“This is really the wrong time of year to do a lot of grooming,” explained Lora Crawford of Lora’s Llamas in Turlock.

Crawford said that normally the llamas are bathed, brushed and groomed from top to bottom before a show. In January, however, it gets too cold to bathe or shear the animals.

“They don’t care that they’re dirty,” Crawford said.

In the spirit of the “hobo” llama show, many owners dressed up to match their llamas. On Friday there was a costume contest for the llamas, along with obstacle courses for showers under age 8. Participants camped overnight at the fairgrounds, and stayed Saturday and Sunday for obstacle courses, cart pulling, and animal showmanship.

“We love this fairground. It’s easy to get to and great for camping, and this year the weather was just beautiful,” said LANA president Kathy Nichols.

The hobo llama show is intended as a fun event, and Friday was an opportunity for owners to show llamas who have never been in a show before. This was their chance to get comfortable in the ring during the off season of llama showing.

LANA members from all over California participated in the show, including a few from out of state. Gogi Villanueva came from Medford, Ore. to show her new llama “Icy-Hot.”

“It has been a lot of fun,” Villanueva said.

The next LANA event in Turlock will be held over Fathers’ Day weekend at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds. Nichols invited the public to meet the llamas, enjoy the cart racing and learn a little more about the animals. More information about the event will be available at Llamainfo.org closer to the date of the show.

To contact Andrea Goodwin, e-mail agoodwin@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2003.