It was shear delight at Sibley Park Farm this past weekend, as the resident alpacas received their annual trim. In what's become a fuzzy tradition, the farm's alpacas were sheared to help them stay cool for the summer months ahead, and to collect their valuable fleece. The process is not only a matter of aesthetics but also one of health and practicality for these creatures.

The City of Mankato announced on Facebook that the park's alpaca flock was looking fresher following their haircuts. The farm at Sibley Park, located at 900 Mound Ave., extends an invitation to everyone to come see the alpacas' new 'dos, and while there, to also pay a visit to the array of other animals calling the farm home.

Not only does this yearly shearing keep the alpacas comfortable in higher temperatures, it also serves an eco-friendly purpose. The freshly harvested alpaca fleece is recycled, turned into yarn that can then be used for knitting, crocheting, and felting. It's a full circle from farm to fabric, as visitors to Sibley Park might end up wearing the very wool they've seen shorn off a docile alpaca.

For those unfamiliar, alpacas are sheared just once a year, and the timing couldn't be more critical, needing to take place before the full brunt of summer heat descends upon their thick coats. The annual event is not only a functional necessity, it also offers a moment of quirky charm for park-goers and a tangible connection to the source of a material so commonly found in our scarves, hats, and sweaters. So, for anyone needing a dose of cute or curious about where their next sweater might begin, Sibley Park invites you to stop by.