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By Tali Haller
Jessie Munson, member of the Spokes 4-H Club in Rochester, enthusiastically urges Thurston County Fair visitors to check out one of the many Llama Shows – she is organizing them all!
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“Llamas are incredibly intelligent animals. I can’t say enough about them,” said Jessie with a smile. She continues to rave about her own beloved, brown, fluffy llama Zion, whose high intelligence and human-like behaviors makes him sound more like a friend of Jessie’s rather than a non-speaking pet. Apparently, he is grumpy in the morning (obviously, not a “morning llama”), gets bored easily, and loves to look at himself in the mirror.
“Zion’s intelligence can sometimes be a pain,” mentioned Jessie, who had to get him a yellow, plastic chain with a bell on the end of it to divert his attention from “reorganizing the stall” (taking things apart out of boredom).
Fairgoers who just want to pet, interact, and learn about llamas and alpacas can visit them in their pens, where the owners are happy to answer any questions. (A favorite question according to Jessie, is how to tell the difference between a llama and an alpaca.) However, there are many cool things people will get to see llamas do by attending a show.
A favorite show is the Llama Obstacle Courses. Depending on the specific course, viewers may get to see llamas go through hula hoops, walk over bridges, jump over obstacles, pull things, or wear an assortment of hats and scarves.
Another favorite show is the Public Relations Obstacles in which the course is designed to show how good llamas can be when interacting with others. In many cases, these obstacle courses simulate a parade. They might have to walk past windows, look into mirrors, move through differently-textured areas (wood, glass, suction cups, etc.) or be subjected to a petter (a stranger who pets them).
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As simple as many of these tasks may sound, they are actually great sources of amusement. For instance, due to the llamas extremely sensitive feet pads, when they walk on different types of material you can see them getting used to the new feel, which is actually very funny.
In the Llama Showmanship Contest, fairgoers can expect to see impeccably groomed llamas while their exhibitors are professionally dressed in black and white (trying to take a little of the attention away from the llamas). The goal here is to make the llama look as perfect as possible as they walk around and do a few tricks.
“This year has some especially challenging obstacles,” confessed Jessie, who works to push the exhibitors without discouraging them. She obtains most of her llama obstacles from Craigslist, self-described as the “Llama Craigslist Queen.” One of her main goals with this year’s fair is to show people what llamas are capable of and get more people involved.
“I’ve been showing animals since I was nine and showing Zion since I was 15,” said now-17-year-old Jessie. Obviously, she has a lot of experience.
Aside from the Thurston County Fair, Jessie participates in a number of county, state, and registry shows.
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She has also exhibited her animals, mainly Zion and her older alpaca Charlie, at the Hands on Children’s Museums’ annual fundraising event, Sand in the City, and the Harvest Festival at Michael T. Simmons elementary. Her big goal this year was to go to Nationals, which is held in Park City, Kanas in late October. Due to her dedication and llama expertise, Jessie qualified at the Black and Blue Pasture Show in Colorado recently, earning the Grand Champion (first place).
At times, exhibitors may earn premiums, but for Jessie it’s all about the fun. “I learn so much and I love what I’m doing,” she explained. As a senior at Olympia High School, Jessie has begun to plan for a future in which she sees herself involved with agricultural education (hopefully, she can incorporate her llama knowledge as well). Outside of llamas and fairs, Jessie is into music – playing in both the school’s marching band and wind ensemble – and horses.
But at the moment, it’s the upcoming fair that’s on her mind. The fair will be open from Wednesday, July 30 to Sunday, August 3. During this time, there are six total llama-based events, a different one every day except Sunday, which holds two in honor of closing ceremonies.
Wednesday, July 30 at 7:00 pm: Lad and Lassie’s Lead Contest at WOW Arena
Thursday, July 31 at 10:00 am: Llama Public Relations Obstacles at West Arena 2
Friday, August 1 at 3:00 pm: Llama Obstacles at West Arena
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Saturday, August 2 at 1:00 pm: Llama Showmanship and Costume Contest at East Arena
Sunday, August 3 at 11:30 am: Llama demonstration and Fun Activities at WOW Arena
Sunday, August 3 at 2:00 pm*: 4-H Senior Division Large Animal Round Robin Competition (will feature horses, llamas, dairy and beef cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs) at West and East Arena
*Intermediate Division Large Animal Red Robin Competition begins at 3:00 pm.
To see the full schedule for the fair’s events click here.