Down Syndrome Centre has partnered with K2Alpacas in Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow, to create a K2Alpaca Pumpkin Patch this Halloween.
The event, which is a fundraiser for the Downs Syndrome Centre, will run across two weekends: Saturday, October 21st and Sunday, October 22nd, and Saturday, October 28th, Sunday, October 29th and Monday, October 30th, 2023.
K2Alpacas will also play host to schools and groups from Monday, October 23rd, through to Friday, October 27th, 2023.
Joe Phelan of K2Alpacas told www.thatsfarming.com editor, Catherina Cunnane:
“Down Syndrome Centre contacted us earlier this year to see if we would be interested in creating a fundraiser with them. The idea was to run a Halloween Pumpkin Patch event.”
“We said yes, of course, what a great mix: pumpkins and alpacas, across a 1.5-hour experience.”
“During this time, you can wander and explore our child-friendly enchanted fairy forest or enjoy our spooky games with kids’ activity boards.”
“Alternatively, you can grab your photos with our Halloween selfie-funboards – where children and adults can take fun photos, enjoy our seated area where you can buy tea, coffee, hot chocolates and goodies or explore our all-things alpaca farm shop.”
“Otherwise, you can marvel at our pumpkin patch where you can pick your own pumpkin and meet with our alpacas,” he added.
To make a booking, click this link, which will bring you directly to K2Alpaca’s website.
About the farm:
We previously interviewed Phelan, who told us how his venture into alpacas began:
When Joe Phelan’s four children flew the nest, it marked the beginning of a new chapter for the now-former banker.
He started to suffer from empty nest syndrome and as an entrepreneur, he was keen to explore all possible avenues.
“I have a natural affinity with the land, and I have always wanted to set up my own business.”
“I like to be busy, and alpacas seemed to cater for all these requirements. It has to be a business for me and not a hobby.”
Spending 39 years working in offices, unearthed a desire to return to the land to operate the family farm once again, on a holding which at that time, had been rented out for over a decade-and-a-half, following his uncle’s passing.
“It was during this research that I came across a claim that alpacas were regarded as ‘the finest livestock investment in the world’ and that Alpaca fibre was ‘the fibre of the Gods’.”
He sourced females to lay the foundations for his alpaca venture, which has lent itself to various alpaca experiences, including tourism and therapy, encompassing weddings, schools, and parties, among others.
About Down Syndrome Centre
The Down Syndrome Centre provides full-time specialist clinical services to children with Down Syndrome from birth to 18 years.
Its network of centres provide daily life-enhancing, early intervention therapy to 350 children and their families.
Its full-time team of therapists provide therapy in purpose-fitted facilities that help each and every child reach their full potential.
Services include baby massage and physio, music therapy, occupational therapy, parent seminars and groups, pre-teen and teen groups, school visits, seasonal workshops, Sibshops, SKIP, speech and language therapy, Stepping Stones and youth club.
Its website reads that it is the only charity in Ireland that provides full-time and in-person services to children with Down Syndrome.
Its mission is to create a centre dedicated to providing support and services to families and carers of people with Down Syndrome, helping them to reach their full potential and creating a brighter future.
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