Early each year, visitors flock to the swine and sheep barn at the New York State Fair to see llamas, the long-necked South American mammals who have carved a niche as wool-producing livestock in the United States. For people who enjoy those quirky critters, there will be an event at the Fairgrounds this weekend that features the llamas’ smaller cousins for the annual Alpaca Showtacular.

The cute and cuddly alpacas are prized for some of the softest and warmest fibers in the world, proven by their ability to thrive in the rugged and frigid Andes mountains. The show will hold judging in various classes as hundreds of animals are on display in pens throughout the Exhibit Center, known during the Fair as the cattle barn.

Free admission includes plenty of opportunity to see and photograph alpacas, thought they tend to be shy about allowing strangers to pet them. The show runs Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.