Things about stuff

This fully decked-out llama stole the show, and not just because it was the only competitor in its class. PHOTO: Leigh Hedger.

Llamas are moving up in the world. Or, at least in the Indiana State Fair. And they’ve earned it.

Last year they moved from a 7 a.m. Saturday gig up to a 6 p.m. Friday time slot. This year, they were in the sheep barn. We even could hear the essays. More seating, a more elaborate judging station and a raised competition ring. The hiccup was the overlapped action between the costumed llamas and the alpaca judging — the essays sometimes overlapped with the alpaca judge’s commentary.

Not that we needed to hear the cop-out essay that was just the elevator version of “Proud to Be an American.” That llama wrangler was the Statue of Liberty, and the llama seemed to be an eagle draped with the flag with the sky in the background — but maybe it was trying to be Ellis Island.

Here’s this year’s gallery. For highlights from previous years, click here.

[View with PicLens]

  

How did life end up like this? PHOTO: Leigh Hedger

Help a fuzzy li’l feller out. This guy really needs a caption. Post your thoughts.

EDIT: Thanks, Joe, for the post. Here is Day 2 of Rocky’s passing.

  

Some of the early risers in search of an answer to What The Smurf?

It was one of those things I’d never heard of, never would of thought existed but most definitely had to see to believe. Going to the 4-H llama costume contest wasn’t a stretch. Getting up to get to the Indiana State Fair at 7 a.m. on a Saturday was the tough part, made doable by getting together with six friends to walk over the fairgrounds. The real stretch was running unexpectedly into three more friends while we were there. That headed into the what-kind-of-freaky-people-am-I-surrounding-myself-with realm. Then again, I’ve now been to more of these than any of them.

That 2004 excursion led to spectacles such as Osama Bin Llama, Llama of Arabia, Llama on the Lam and other buddies dressed in scuba gear or completely made up as a race car, tractor, hatching chick, medical professional, some kind of table topped with cheese, a tuxedo-ed prom date and other characters. Not necessarily well tailored, but all stylish and sophisticated couture.

Sure, there’s a wrangler in a complementary outfit hanging out with them, but you know the outfits were all the llamas’ ideas. They’re amazing creatures destined for Vogue. When I grow up, I hope to be worthy enough to compete as a fawning Catherine Deneuve on the arm of some young Yves St. Llama.

The rules-ish

As I understand it, llamas don’t actually like to wear clothes. Hence, part of the challenge is to creatively cover them with as much costume as possible. And the more head coverage the better. There’s also an essay portion, but the sound system really stinks, so I’ve never had occasion to grasp that portion of this art form.

Here are photos from 2004, 2006 and 2008. This year’s competition is Friday, Aug. 21, at 6 p.m. Yes, p.m. Thank you, evening time slot. EDIT: 2009 photos now are posted here.

Now if only there were trendy cocktails to top off this llama-chic runway scene.