Goats to Kick Off Graze-Off and Live Music at Riverside Park
Riverside Park will welcome back its grazing team on Saturday, July 12, when Goatham 2025 kicks off with five goats tackling invasive plants and starring in a brand-new eating contest.
Starting at 11 a.m., the goats—Romeo, Mallomar, Butterball, Kash, and Rufus—will get to work on the steep hills near West 143rd Street. These goats have helped the Riverside Park Conservancy for years, removing stubborn weeds as part of the Woodland Restoration Initiative. They graze on tough plants like poison ivy and mugwort, eating up to 25 percent of their body weight each day. Their natural abilities make them ideal for areas machines can’t reach.
- Date: Saturday, July 12
- Time: 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- Location: Lawn north of Ten Mile Playground (W. 151st St & West Side Highway)
- Cost: Free
- RSVP: Encouraged
- Rain Date: July 19
This year, organizers are adding something new: “The Great Goat Graze-Off.” In this playful contest, the goats compete to eat the most greenery, with Major League Eating’s George Shea calling the action. To add even more energy, New Orleans-style band Nice Brass will perform live during the event.
The festivities run from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the lawn north of Ten Mile Playground at West 151st Street. Admission is free, and organizers encourage guests to RSVP. If it rains, the event will move to Saturday, July 19.
“This partnership with goats is a great way to manage plants without chemicals,” said a representative from the Conservancy.
After the kickoff event, the goats will remain in the park throughout the summer, continuing their job as natural landscapers and helping the ecosystem thrive.
More…
- https://riversideparknyc.org/goatham/
- https://secretnyc.co/goats-eating-invasive-plants-riverside-park-goatham-2025
- https://patch.com/new-york/harlem/plant-eating-goats-riverside-park-are-baack-heres-when-see-them
- https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/goats-are-returning-to-riverside-park-this-summer-with-a-free-graze-off-next-month-062425
- https://www.overherenewyork.com/new-york-city-might-soon-legalize-bodega-cats/