The Rare and Exotic Sale returned to the Lloydminster Exhibition, drawing visitors from across Alberta and Saskatchewan to buy, sell and view a wide variety of animals.
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This year’s event was busier than ever.
“We have even more lots this sale,” said Lorena Doolittle, a member of the Rare and Exotic Sale committee. “We’re close to 800 boxes and there are 49 livestock. It’ll be busy.”
While many attended to buy and sell, others came simply to see the animals.
“There are families that come through just to show their kids these critters that they may never see,” said Doolittle. “We have some hedgehogs, two guinea pigs, four mini horses, three alpacas, a dozen sheep and lambs and 30 goats.”
The event continues to draw participants from across the region.
“We get people from Prince Albert to Edmonton,” she said, noting some travel for hours across both provinces to take part.
Doolittle said her connection to the sale began long before she joined the Lloyd Ex staff.
“I used to come to the sale before I worked here,” she said. “I would come to look at all the critters. Then I bought some, raised some, and I brought them back to sell.”
The event also provides an important opportunity for local breeders and producers.
“More and more people are looking for local food and supporting local breeders and producers,” said Doolittle. “We’ve got a number of people who have been consigning to the sale as long as I’ve been coming. They bring quality birds and are looking to expand their own flocks and herds.”
The sale was part of a busy weekend at the exhibition grounds on April 11, beginning at 10 a.m.
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