When it comes to festive fall fun, many people dress up in their favorite maroon flannel and head to their nearest pumpkin patch to grab a cute picture for the season. Like those people, I’m always first in line. However, a ranch 45 minutes from San Antonio offers the experience of fall and the unique hugs of adorable alpacas.
Black Barn Alpacas, owned by animal-loving couple Travis and Yussy McManus, opened with about 75 fluffy alpacas in June and threw their big party on Oct. 1 at the 16-acre ranch in Floresville. After making the quick drive from downtown San Antonio, the first sight I saw on the property were some beautiful alpacas to my right and a pumpkin patch to my left.
Only 50,000 registered alpacas live in the United States, making close encounters rare, according to owners.
Abigail Im, multimedia producer
The adorable tour
Yussy and Travis then took me into the barn to pet and feed the alpacas inside. No, none of them spat on me, but Travis said it happens sometimes. However, they usually have no problem with guests as long as you pet their necks. Yes, they are as soft as they look. I would imagine that’s what a cloud feels like.
Pro tip: Keep the food bags (which are $5) over your head or you’ll be bombarded with cute alpacas. Take a few bites in your hand and then place them under the alpaca’s mouth. Trust me, they’ll eat it up fast. It does not hurt and is suitable for children. She might feel a little slimy because of their tongues.
More than 50 adorable fluffy faces reside on this 16-acre alpaca ranch in Floresville, and they host a fall harvest festival every weekend in October.
Abigail Im, multimedia producer
Some are a bit shy, but Travis and Yussy are good at pointing out which ones are outgoing. My favorite was Tour Stopper (they all have cheeky names) as he followed me around the ranch as I toured the grounds. Tours are $20 (children 2 and under are free). Includes a 45-minute walking tour with an alpaca farmer who will show guests the ins and outs of an alpaca’s life. You can take pictures and buy food to feed them.
You can pick pumpkins and take cute photos with the alpacas at Black Barn Alpacas.
Abigail Im, multimedia producer
October fun
For October, Black Barn Alpacas has its free pumpkin patch from 10am to 7pm Tuesday through Thursday. On weekends, there’s a $10 fall festival ticket that includes a variety of activities including carnival games, pumpkin painting, bounce houses, hay rides, fall photoshop opportunities and food trucks. There is also live music on Saturdays.
The autumn festival started on October 1st. Travis said about 1,500 people (mostly from San Antonio) showed up. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays (activities start at 4 p.m.), on Saturdays from noon to 10 p.m. and on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
Visitors can enjoy live music, carnival games, hay rides, food trucks, bounce houses, pumpkin painting, and petting, eating and taking pictures of alpacas on weekends in October.
Abigail Im, multimedia producer
While the festival looks great, I recommend booking a visit with friends or family during the week. It is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can learn more about alpacas this way and have the opportunity to connect with them more. During the festivals, feeding is provided, but the tour of the grounds is limited as the couple does not want to overwhelm the animals.
Black Barn Alpacas is dedicated to sustainably raising premium black and gray alpacas within a 45 minute drive of downtown San Antonio.
Abigail Im, multimedia producer
Black Barn Alpacas
Yussy said she grew up with horses (there’s also one on the ranch), while her husband raised cattle. So he said it only seemed natural to start Black Barn Alpacas. In the barn, they care for and raise the highest quality black and gray alpacas. Alpacas are native to Peru and Chile. Over 35 years ago, the first alpacas arrived in the United States and have thrived ever since. Right now, there are only about 50,000 alpacas in the country and 20 alpaca ranchers in Texas, according to Travis.
At the ranch, Travis said his breeding program includes measures to ensure he produces the best quality fleeces and the happiest alpacas in the country. He said they use EDP to track genetics and identify the highest breeding success rate by averaging the best alpaca qualities. They limit breeding herds to ensure a quality pedigree and the safety of the animals. The ranch also performs follicle testing to ensure accuracy and color consistency of fleece and fiber.
At Black Barn, tourists can cuddle, pet, feed and pose with the herd, then linger to enjoy a picnic and a bottle of wine on the ranch’s sprawling green pastures.
Abigail Im, multimedia producer
Alpacas are sold at the ranch. All alpaca sales are vetted to make sure the animals go to homes as loving as the ranch, Travis said. She added that alpacas are social creatures and should be homed with other alpaca friends or bought as a group. For more information on care, breeding and sales, visit their website at blackbarnalpacas.com.
For unique and rare fun, find the ranch at 3915 US Highway 181 S, Floresville, TX 78114.
