EXHIBIT · MINNESOTA STATE FAIR
Llamas & Alpacas
Minnesota's woolly camelids take over Compeer Arena for the 4-H llama-alpaca experience, where young exhibitors guide their long-necked partners through showmanship, obstacle courses, and public relations classes. The unmistakable highlight is the beloved costume contest, where dozens of 4-H'ers and their decked-out llamas and alpacas parade in outlandish themed outfits to wow the judges and the crowd. From soft, fluffy Huacaya alpacas to silky-fleeced Suris and towering banana-eared llamas, this barn is all about teamwork, training, and a whole lot of charm.
The 2026 Minnesota State Fair ended on Monday, September 7, 2026. Everything below describes the 2026 fair, which is the most recent one I hold — stands, buildings and rides carry over year to year, but dates, prices and schedules do not. I update it when the fair publishes for 2027. The 2027 fair runs August 26 – September 6, 2027 — 293 days away.
- Building
- Compeer Arena
Which breeds are in the barn?
5 breeds are shown here: Llama, Huacaya Alpaca, Suri Alpaca, Classic (Ccara) Llama, Wooly (Tampuli) Llama.
When is the judging?
- 4-H Llama-Alpaca Costume Contest — Wed 2 Sep
- Open Class Llama Performance Classes — Thu 3 Sep
- 4-H Llama-Alpaca Show — Thu 3 Sep
- 4-H Llama-Alpaca Showmanship — Fri 4 Sep
- Open Class Llama Showmanship and Halter Classes — Fri 4 Sep
When are the animals actually in the barn?
Interact with llamas and alpacas up close beginning Wednesday, Sept. 2 in the Horse Barn and Compeer Arena. They leave on Friday, Sept. 4. Open class arrival Wednesday, Sept. 2, noon to 4 p.m.; departure Friday, Sept. 4, 2-5 p.m.
Worth knowing
- You can tell a llama from an alpaca by the ears: llamas have long, curved 'banana' ears, while alpacas have short, straight, spear-shaped ears.
- Llamas are the big ones, weighing 300 to 450 pounds and standing up to 6 feet tall from head to ears, while alpacas are smaller and prized for their soft fleece.
- There are two alpaca breeds at the fair: Huacaya alpacas have crimpy, teddy-bear-like fluff, and Suri alpacas grow silky fleece that hangs in long, twisty locks.
- In the costume contest, kids have to train their llamas and alpacas for weeks just to calmly accept wearing wild outfits in a noisy arena.
- Llamas and alpacas hum to communicate, and when they're really annoyed they can spit, usually at each other rather than at people.
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Last verified against the fair's own listing. Anything I cannot source I leave blank rather than estimate.
Compiled and checked by Keith Gulbro, who has been going to this fair for thirty-odd years and builds MN Fair Guide on his own — why he does it. Spotted something wrong? Tell him and it gets fixed.
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