Meet me at the corner of India and Peru

There is a subculture in Utah Valley that gets the attention it deserves only once a year at the Llama Fest. This small society is, of course, made up of llama owners and llama lovers.

At first it may sound strange. After all, what is there to do at a festival devoted solely to llamas?

Plenty, it turns out. For the fourteenth annual Llama Fest at the Hare Krishna temple in Spanish Fork, there will be obstacle courses, races, food, wool demonstrations and live performances by local bands.

Llamas in Utah lead a life of luxury compared to their cousins in South America. Here, they may be used as sheep guards or light load-bearers, but are mainly found as pets or wool-providers. If you have never seen one in person before, this could be a rare learning opportunity. After all, llamas aren’t often held in zoos.

If you’re not interested in the life of a llama, the festival is still a good excuse to see the beautiful temple and sample the exotic food. This year, food booths will offer Latin American staples from chili to bread pudding.

In case you’ll ever consider attending the free yoga classes, tours, or stress sermons the temple offers, the festival can also be a good excuse to scope out the grounds and make yourself comfortable there. Saturday, July 19, the festivities will start at 4 p.m. at 8628 S Main in Spanish Fork. Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children. For more information, visit www.utahkrishnas.com