The forecast may have tried to rain on the goats’ parade, but the show went on! After moving to its rain date on Sunday, July 19, Riverside Park Conservancy welcomed back its beloved herd of goats for the second annual Great Goat Graze-Off.
As part of the Conservancy’s Goatham Initiative, the Great Goat Graze-Off is the only known professional eating competition where goats compete for the ultimate title: G.O.A.T. Grazer. Hosted by George Shea of Major League Eating, best known for hosting the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, this year’s competition featured returning champion Mallomar, fan-favorite Romeo, and newcomer Big Buddy.
With just three minutes on the clock, the goats went hoof-to-hoof to see who could eat the most invasive mugwort. In the end, Mallomar successfully defended his title, proving once again that he has what it takes to be the G.O.A.T. by eating his greens the fastest.
Mallomar may not be the loudest goat in the herd, but his calm, steadfast personality has made him a beloved member of the Riverside Park community. Romeo returned with his loyal fan base cheering him on as MVP, while Big Buddy made his debut as a formidable competitor ready to chomp his way into the record books.
The Great Goat Graze-Off made headlines far beyond Riverside Park, with coverage from the NY Post, NY1, 1010 WINS, Popular Science, Secret NYC, Time Out, Gothamist, Columbia Spectator, and more.
Mallomar’s victory also continued beyond the bounds of Riverside Park’s graze-off stage. On Monday, July 20, during Riverside Park Conservancy’s annual Hudson Beach Party, Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal presented a proclamation declaring Mallomar G.O.A.T. Appreciation Day in honor of his second consecutive Graze-Off victory.
The proclamation celebrated Mallomar’s impressive appetite, his contributions to Riverside Park’s restoration efforts, and his status as a beloved member of the Riverside Park community.
Once again, the Great Goat Graze-Off brought together thousands of community members, local leaders, and goat fans of all ages for an afternoon filled with music, activities, local vendors, educational tables, and plenty of excitement.
Goat fans arrived ready to cheer on their favorite competitors, bringing handmade signs, creative puns, and lots of enthusiasm. Congratulations to all of this year’s sign contest participants and winners, and thank you to everyone who helped make the event such a memorable celebration!
“We were excited to bring back the Great Goat Graze-Off for a second year,” said Merritt Birnbaum, President & CEO of Riverside Park Conservancy. “This event is about two things: celebrating sustainability in our Park, but most importantly, bringing joy and whimsy to our community. This is definitely an ‘only in New York’ moment, and one that we’re proud to lean in to during a time when New Yorkers are craving more collective effervescence in our public spaces.
After their moment in the spotlight, the goats are now at their summer job site at West 137th Street, where they will spend ten weeks feasting on invasive plants including poison ivy, mugwort, and porcelain berry.
Now in its seventh year, the Conservancy’s Goatham initiative uses goats as a pesticide-free approach to invasive plant management. Thanks to their ability to navigate steep slopes and dense vegetation, the goats help restore areas of Riverside Park that are challenging for human gardeners to access. Previous goat work sites at 119th Street and 143rd Street have already been cleared and are being replanted with new, biodiverse shrubs and trees.
Of course the success of Goatham would not be possible without the dedication of the Conservancy’s volunteers and staff, who help care for the goats throughout their summer residency. From maintaining their enclosure to providing fresh water and bedding and monitoring their safety, these community members play an essential role in keeping the herd happy and healthy.
Whether they’re competing for the G.O.A.T. title or hard at work restoring Riverside Park’s landscapes, Mallomar, Romeo, Big Buddy, and the rest of the herd continue to remind New Yorkers that sometimes the most unexpected solutions are also the most joyful.
Show your love and support for the herd wherever you go. Visit our shop to rep Goatham year round!
Photos by Erin Baiano.