The
Great Llama Race by Susan Gawarecki Pathfinder Farm • Anderson TN from the Southern States Llama Association membership was tremendous, and participation has grown annually from the 26 initial racing llamas in five heats to 33 llamas in seven heats in 2016. Not only do educational and health-related projects in Bolivia, Guatemala, Haiti, and Honduras benefit from the fundraising, so do local schools. And this is where the racing llamas come in. Each llama represents a participating high school and two major sponsors. The participating kids “decorate” their llama for a parade, with prizes given for the best costumes. Then the llamas are changed into their saddle pads, and the heats begin. The llamas are led by local celebrities, making the event even more interesting. Races are run on a 100-meter U-shaped course, and the winners move on to the final race of the day. The top three finishers win substantial cash prizes for their sponsoring schools. Crowds fill the World’s Fair Park gawking at the llamas in their portable stalls, meeting roving llama ambassadors, enjoying live music, and patronizing numerous vendors selling food, camelid-fiber items, llama gee-gaws, and much more.
Good Old Smiley pulls his cart in the 2014 costume parade. Photo by Maylene Hall
Lori Santoro had an idea. Her nonprofit organization, Casa de Sara, provides education and health care for Hispanic and Indigenous children in the Americas. What better way to publicize and raise money for this organization which began with schools in Bolivia than to showcase Bolivia’s national animal, the llama? And so was born the Great Llama Race, first held in 2014 in Knoxville’s World’s Fair Park. Santoro partnered with Southeast Llama Rescue to publicize the event to area llama owners, and SELR used to opportunity to showcase adoptable llamas and alpacas. Response 12 • Discover Llamas
A local chef school was a crowd favorite in the 2016 costume parade. Photo by Susan Gawarecki
