We’re only a few weeks away from the 2020 AOA National Alpaca Show, Sponsored by Fun in the Country. That means it’s time to make sure that your plans are set and you’re ready to take on Fort Wayne. As our 30th Anniversary of the first national alpaca show in the U.S., this spectacle is one you want to be sure not to miss. We’re bringing both the fun and the nostalgia all the way back from 1990.
Traveling:
As the second largest city in Indiana, with a population of 265,000+ people, Fort Wayne is a great place for us to host our National Show. This city is located within a 250 mile radius of 17% of the total U.S. population, and within a days drive of half of the population. If a road trip isn’t for you, you can always fly directly into Fort Wayne, or 2 hours south to Indianapolis. Our host hotel, Holiday Inn at Purdue Fort Wayne offers a complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. You do have to call and arrange the ride ahead of time. Otherwise, you can always order an Uber or Lyft to make the 12 mile (24 minute) drive to the hotel. If you do decide to fly into Indianapolis, you can arrange for a Hoosier Shuttle that will take you from the airport to Fort Wayne. Details and times can be found at www.hoosiershuttle.com and needs to be prearranged. Rates run $39 for one way, $78 for round trip, and children under 12 ride for half price.
Staying:
If you haven’t already, be sure to book your room at the Holiday Inn at Purdue Fort Wayne by February 12 to guarantee the discounted group room rate. You can book your room online, or call in your reservation at (260) 482-3800. The hotel is conveniently located right across the street from the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum and is also where our Saturday night Banquet & Auction will take place. There are also a variety of alternative hotels in the area if you miss the booking date, or the Holiday Inn fills up. The Magnuson Hotel Fort Wayne North is just a short drive from the Coliseum and has a complimentary breakfast buffet and has fairly cheap rates. Nearby are also the Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Fort Wayne and Comfort Inn, both with complimentary breakfast and free parking. If you would like further information and details on alternative hotels in the area, email events@alpacainfo.com.
Staying in a hotel isn’t your only option during your time in Fort Wayne. If you’re planning on bringing your RV or motorhome the Coliseum has available parking and electrical hookups at $40 per night. There is a limited number of spots available, so be sure to call the AOA office at (402) 437-8484 to reserve your spot!
At the Show:
In honor of the first U.S. national alpaca show held in the summer of 1990, we are traveling back in time at this year’s National Show. Be sure to pack your best 90’s throwback outfit for our Friday night Meet & Greet to be held in the atrium of the Coliseum from 5:30-7:00 p.m. There will be a cash bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres. We will also have a “Walk Down Memory Lane” that will take you back in time to reminisce about the past 3 decades of alpaca shows. This is a great chance for you to socialize with members across the country that you may not get to visit with otherwise. Saturday night will also be our Banquet & Auction, with a cocktail reception featuring complimentary beer and wine. The cocktail hour will run from 5:30-6:30 pm, with the banquet dinner and auction following. You can purchase banquet tickets for $35 when you register for the show. We will have a great selection of herdsire breedings and items for you to bid on, so come with your wallets ready to have a good time!
We also have a lot of great extra activities planned during the show. We’re bringing back our popular Alpaca Yoga and Alpaca Selfie Booth - both of which are great draws to the general public! Board President, Shauna Brummet, will also be giving a presentation on the new breed standard. Your input is vital to the implementation of this standard, so be sure to come and listen and give your feedback. With so much going on during the show, volunteers are important to everything running smoothly and efficiently. You can sign up to volunteer during registration, or submit a form on our website. You can also get a full schedule of the week's events and check-in times here.
Things to do:
If you happen to catch a free moment during the show (which we understand can be rare), there are many activities and attractions in Fort Wayne to keep you entertained. If you’re looking to do something light, but get a taste of the city, you can visit the Fort Wayne Museum of Art for $8 admission, the Fort Wayne History Center for $6 admission, or the Fort Wayne Firefighters Museum for $4 admission. If you would like to get a literal taste of Fort Wayne, you can also check out the Mad Anthony Brewing Company for the ‘best beer in town’ and a full menu. If you’re looking for something more family-friendly, Science Central is a great place for kids to get hands-on learning experiences in science, technology, engineering, and math. For more information on activities and local restaurants you can check out Visit Fort Wayne. If you have any other questions about your trip to Fort Wayne, contact Alyssa Winterfeld, Event Manager, at events@alpacainfo.com. We look forward to celebrating this very special 30th Anniversary National Alpaca Show with you in March!