The Conservancy’s beloved landscaper goats will go hoof-to-hoof in “The Great Goat Graze-Off” to celebrate their return to Riverside Park for the summer.
Riverside Park’s goats are baaaaaaaack, and hungrier than ever! Riverside Park Conservancy is thrilled to welcome five tenacious, invasive plant-eating goats to face off in New York City’s most anticipated NEW competitive eating event, “The Great Goat Graze-Off,” to be held on Saturday, July 12 (rain date July 19), from 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM, in West Harlem on the lawn north of Ten Mile Playground, at West 151st Street and the West Side Highway.
The festivities will be overseen by George Shea of Major League Eating, best known for hosting Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. A historic milestone, “The Great Goat Graze-Off” is the first-ever professional eating competition between goats.
“We are pleased to expand competitive eating to the animal kingdom,” said Shea. “We believe there is enormous opportunity for growth if we can successfully engage other species in our sport, especially those such as goats, which have enormous stomach capacity and extraordinarily strong jaws.”
During the live, timed competition, the five caprine contestants will chew it out onstage to prove who can eat an array of botanicals the fastest. Only one goat can be crowned the G.O.A.T. Grazer – as the crowd roots for their favorite four-legged eating champion.
“All goat fans can expect to witness world record-breaking weed-eating from this dynamic quintet of goats.” said Kristen Meade, Director of Volunteer Initiatives at Riverside Park Conservancy. “Or not. I’m the first to tell you they don’t like to be told what to do. But the fun lies within the chaos.”
The contest will whet the goats’ appetites for grazing all summer long. After the festivities, they will head to their full-time summer job location at a vegetation-covered slope at West 143rd Street where they will feast upon their favorite invasive plant species – like poison ivy, mugwort, and porcelain berry – until the fall.
The goats’ much-anticipated return will mark the sixth year of the Conservancy’s Goatham Initiative, a novel, pesticide-free method for clearing invasive plants from Riverside Park. Undaunted by steep slopes, goats can navigate terrain that presents a major challenge for human gardeners, removing dense overgrowth and preparing these areas for more ecologically beneficial plantings in the future.
“The Great Goat Graze-Off” will provide goat fans with a chance to ‘meet and bleat’ ten visiting goats, including the five goats who will remain in Riverside Park for their 10-week residency. The event will feature local vendor booths, food and drink, live music, goat-themed merchandise, photo-ops, arts and crafts, games, and educational activities for all ages.
“The Great Goat Graze-Off is gearing up to be the best (and only!) contest to determine who is the ‘chompion’ of the goat world,” said Merritt Birnbaum, President & CEO of Riverside Park Conservancy. “In addition to bringing joy to New Yorkers, these goats and their giant appetites make a big difference in Riverside Park. They remove poison ivy and other harmful invasive plants, working in partnership with our human gardeners to build a healthier ecosystem. We’re so grateful not only for these hungry goats, but also for the entire community who come together to support us and cheer on the herd!”
“This summer, it’s goat vs. weeds, and the stakes have never been higher. The Great Goat Graze-Off is a showdown for the ages, and we are thrilled to work with the Riverside Park Conservancy to bring this hoof-stomping, leaf-chomping contest to Riverside Park. May the hungriest goat win!” said NYC Parks Borough Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “Events like this highlight the creative and sustainable ways we care for our parks while bringing joy and community spirit to public spaces.”
Riverside Park Conservancy rents the goats every year from the nonprofit organization, Green Goats, in Rhinebeck, NY.
“They’re all rescues who come from all over the country. But no matter where they are from, one thing is clear: these goats are thriving in their careers as professional eaters,” says Annlilita Cihanek, co-founder of Green Goats. “We always say that we use what nature provides in order to get rid of what nature provides too much of,” added her son, Jordon Martins-Cihanek.
“It’s a pleasure to welcome baaaack Manhattan’s favorite summer residents. As the true GOATs of landscaping, no one is better suited for tackling the invasive plants in Riverside Park. And I’m thrilled that New York’s top organic gardeners are continuing their weed-munching talents above 120th Street this year, playing a key role in the Conservancy’s North Park Initiative,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “So hoof it to The Great Goat Graze-Off to ring in Goatham 2025.”
“Our parks in West Harlem and Morningside Heights aren’t just green spaces — they’re living ecosystems that sustain life, bring us joy, and build community. I’m proud to welcome back our goat friends for another season of natural, sustainable landscaping. By chomping down invasive species, they help restore balance to our local environment in a way that’s fun, effective, and good for the planet. Goatham is one of the most joyful events of the year, and I can’t wait to see families from across the district come together to celebrate,” said Council Member Shaun Abreu.
“The goats aren’t just charming—they’re effective,” said Council Member Gale A. Brewer. “They’ve cleared steep, inaccessible slopes without chemicals or machinery, making way for native wildlife and helping to create a healthier park. I’m especially proud that the Conservancy continues to expand these efforts further uptown as part of the North Park Initiative. I look forward to cheering on these four-legged workers at The Great Goat Graze Off, and I welcome their return for another productive—and delicious—summer.”
“As we combat an ever-present climate crisis, we must continue investing in green initiatives and educational opportunities. The Riverside Park Conservancy serves as a great example, successfully implementing creative educational strategies that we can all enjoy in a beautiful green space,” said Council Member Carmen De La Rosa. “We look forward to the return of the Goatham Festival this year with the famous George Shea of Major League Eating. The goats have a lot of work to do!”
Meet the Herd:
Romeo
Returning to Riverside Park for his third stint, Romeo is your forever best friend. He wants your hugs and a snuggle at night. He knows he can’t solve all the world’s troubles, but he’ll be by your side through it all.
Mallomar
Mallomar, a staple in the Riverside Park herd year after year, is unwavering in his loyalty and courage. He might not be the loudest of the bunch, but his calm, steadfast nature provides security for those surrounding him who know he will always have their back.
Butterball
Butterball lives for sparkles and all things glitz and glamor. Don’t let her penchant for flash deceive you, though – her heart is pure gold, and she can win over the most hardened of New Yorkers with her good nature and easy way with others.
Rufus
Rufus is the epitome of regal: he’s big, strong, and full of charm and wit. Classy and not too brassy, others look up to him both as their benevolent leader and as a consummate host, always eager to organize a themed luncheon for his fellow chompers.
Kash
Kash, a cashmere goat with long, flowing locks, proudly has the longest horns of all of the goats at the Green Goats farm. Always one to prance to the beat of his own drum, he was once the lone goat living on a horse farm, and you can still find him trotting about, showing off his handsome features with panache.
About Riverside Park Conservancy
From 59th Street to 181st Street, from riverfront to city-side, Riverside Park Conservancy cares for and enhances six miles of parkland for present and future generations. Working together with the New York City Parks Department, we make improvements as diverse as the park itself and the city it serves.
About Major League Eating
Major League Eating is the world body that oversees all professional eating contests. The organization, which developed competitive eating and includes the sport’s governing body, the International Federation of Competitive Eating, helps sponsors to develop, publicize and execute world-class eating events in all varieties of food disciplines. MLE-sanctioned eating contests provide dramatic audience entertainment and offer an unparalleled platform for media exposure. Major League Eating holds approximately 70 events annually, including the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, NY. For more information, visit www.majorleagueeating.com and follow us on Twitter @eatingcontest.