Project Llama Runway 2009

August 21, 2009

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.

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Tags: photoblog