Northern California Angora Guild: Bunny To Scarf Contest in PA, Part 1 Angorapalooza Teams

This year, the 2019 PA State Farm Show held the 4th annual Angorapalooza! It is starting to grow as a popular event where fair goers enjoy an up close experience with these fluffy bunnies, but also a fun way for creative fiber artists to promote their craft by going from barnyard to runway ready in 2.5 hours! Competitors work together as a team to go from bunny to a finished scarf, all of which are auctioned off at the end of the competition to anyone wishing to go home with one of these luxurious handmade scarves!

One of the teams in costumes. Matt and Ashley are very active in promoting fiber activities.

Maddie and her youth troop, there are 6 teams competing and 4 teams are mostly youth.

The Rabbit Department at the Farm Show has been growing over the years, working hard to showcase all of the different purposes and opportunities that rabbits have to offer. A few years ago, the rabbit committee wanted to do more to bring to light the “fiber” aspect of the rabbit industry in a positive way. That is how the Angorapalooza came to fruition! Angie and Madi Shaw worked together to put on the event and it has been gaining popularity ever since then!

A youth and his fluffy Giant Angora that is waiting for the wool harvest.

Bunnies that are donating their wool for the competition.

The crowd sits on the edge of their seats and are actually invited into the ring to get a close look as the teams work. They are encouraged to ask questions and to see that the fiber is being harvested in a humane manner.

There are five members to a team, along with two fuzzy companions; Two bunnies that are graciously donating their fiber for the team’s scarf, one team member that harvests the fiber from the rabbits right there on the floor during the competition, three spinners, and one weaver. Each team has 2-1/2 hours to harvest the wool, spin into the yarn and weave into a scarf.