Holiday cheer arrives early at Hill Crest Alpacas

Reindeer aren’t the only animals Santa and Mrs. Claus like. It turns out they fancy alpacas, too.

On Sunday, Nov. 24, the Clauses visited Hill Crest Alpacas for the farm’s Christmas celebration.

This was the eighth time Santa and Mrs. Claus stopped by to take photos with kids and hand out candy canes at the now annual Christmas celebration.

The farm began inviting the Clauses when it wanted to put on more special events for the community, said Cortney Standish, who runs the farm with her family.

In addition to taking a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus, kids could also go on a pony ride, play in a playhouse, take a train ride in a barrel, feed the alpacas and make crafts.

For the first time, guests could also write letters to soldiers who are deployed overseas and won’t be home for the holidays, Standish said, whose brother is currently deployed.

Eric Caron and his family have been to the farm the past two years for the Easter event and said that this was the first year they went for Christmas.

“It’s been good, the crafts are great. They had fun with doing the crafts, feeding the alpacas,” he said.

When asked if she’s had fun at the farm, Xenia Caton, 4, shouted “Yes!” and jumped in the air.

“And I sat in the bucket!” She added, referring to the barrel ride.

Melanie Tocci saw the event online and decided to bring her family to visit Santa and the alpacas. They have been to the farm in the past, but this was the first time they went to visit Santa.

“We just like to get out and be a part of the community,” she said.

There were also several vendors selling holiday gifts and treats.

Ana DaSilva makes handcrafted wreaths, and has been selling them at the Christmas event for the past few years.

“It’s fun to see all the families come in here and seeing the alpacas. You know, there’s so much to do here, it’s festive,” she said.

Skye Bright, 10, was at the event to sell earrings and hand painted crafts.

“I just like selling earrings and meeting a bunch of people because they’re always so kind,” she said, adding that this wasn’t the first time she’s sold earrings at the event.

“It’s just really fun,” she said.

Katie Cook and her family have been attending the Christmas event ever since her son was one.

“We just love it,” Cook said. “Everyone’s so kind, and there’s so much to do.”

Cook said that her son, Tyler Cook, 3, remembered getting candy canes from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

As Tyler got off the barrel train ride, he said the ride was his favorite thing he’d done so far.

Katie added, “Mr. and Mrs. Claus [are] the best, can’t forget about them.”