Goats Are Coming Back To Riverside Park This Week

RIVERSIDE PARK — Didn't get a chance to see the herd of two dozen goats that grazed in Riverside Park two years ago? Good news: the animals will be back in the park next week to munch on invasive plants and soak up the attention of visitors.

The second-ever "Running of the Goats" will be held in the park at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 14 at 120th Street, the Riverside Park Conservancy announced Wednesday.

Besides the goats' arrival, there will be music, including a rendition of "Lonely Goatherd," speeches by elected officials, and a new ranked-choice vote to crown New Yorkers' favorite goat.

It's free to attend, but visitors can RSVP in advance and be entered for a chance to win a Riverside Park Conservancy gift basket. T-shirts and "special surprises" will also be available, organizers said.

Five goats will stay in the park for the entire summer, roaming the area between 120th and 125th streets, and the ranked-choice winner will be chosen from among them by the end of the season, according to the Conservancy.

Contenders include "Skittles," a "seasoned park veteran" who was a finalist for the top prize in 2019, and newcomer "Ms. Bo Peep."

"Our ranked choice voting system will go off without a hitch and the GOAT will be crowned without any confusion or controversy by the end of the summer," Dan Garodnick, President and CEO of the Conservancy, said in a statement.

"We encourage New Yorkers to come meet the 'Fabulous Five' in person and to pay attention to our social media channels as the goats roll out their platforms"

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