NORWICH – This week, the show rings at the Chenango County Fair grounds have seen all manner of cattle, goats, poultry and other livestock paraded for the judge’s approval. This weekend, however, another breed of animal will make its debut: alpacas.

According to Show Superintendent Brenda Thall, more than 90 animals from 29 farms will participate in the Southern Tier Alpaca Association’s inaugural HummDinger Alpaca Show. It is the first show if its kind to take place at the Chenango County Fair.

“We’re just trying to raise awareness of alpacas in the area,” said Thall, who owns and operates Red Barn Alpacas in Norwich with her husband Mark. Alpaca farms, both large and small, have become increasingly prevalent in the area, she said, explaining that recently she did a quick internet search and located 100 such farms within a 50-mile radius of Norwich.

According to the show superintendent, the event will also give those new to the alpaca game an opportunity to have their animals professionally evaluated.

“Small shows are great for new farms,” she said. In fact, it was a similar-sized show in Weedsport which gave her and her family their first taste of competition. That was in July of 2007, only a few months after they acquired their first alpacas. They now have 29 animals at their farm on Gibbon Road in Norwich, and show their alpacas up and down the east coast.