photo/TinaEvangelistaEppenstein
Last weekend I attended my first-ever Sly Fox Bock Fest and Goat Race. It was the first time since the event started 17 years ago that I had even heard of it. Despite the dreary, soggy, cold day, the races went ahead as scheduled. There were shuttle buses, mud, umbrellas, long lines for food, plenty of beer, a huge crowd of all ages and 60 “competing” goats assembled for this annual festival located outside of Philadelphia Pennsylvania. By the way, bock means goat.
An inquisitive goat photo/TinaEvangelistaEppenstein
My sole mission was to witness firsthand if goats were abused. As I trekked through the overflowing sea of people to see the animals up close and personal which took nearly 25 minutes, I finally was able to see the races. The races themselves consisted of tame goats attached to a leash and running with a person holding the other end. Prior to each race, each goat’s name was announced and shown on a Jumbotron screen for all to see. The goats with their human counterparts were ready to race.
ArbitronScreen
photo/TinaEvangelistaEppenstein
The thought of goat races conjured images of greyhound racing where the dogs are abused and live in small cages most of the time. Greyhound racing has been on the decline in recent years after most states have made it illegal to hold them. Only five states still hold such races. When they are no longer profitable, the dogs are no longer needed. Rescue groups are the saviors for these former racers in this despicable industry. I needed to know if this was the case with the Bock Fest.
My concerns were put to rest as I saw people walking their goats, interacting with them in an enclosure area for them and their handlers. I saw the people having fun with the goats during the actual races and watched how well they were embraced after the finish line was crossed. The goats were treated with kindness by all.
What struck me as funny is that the races really come down to how fast the person ran. There were some goats who refused to run or walk. I don’t think it mattered who ran the fastest. It seems this weird and wacky festival was more about fun and drinking. However, all eyes were glued on the goat races.
No inhumane treatment is allowed of any goat. This is certainly good news to an animal advocate like me! Music was provided by Grammy-nominated and internationally known Alex Meixner. He is also remembered for his One-Man Pep Band in the Hormel Food commercials. He was entertaining if you like German Oompah music!
HormelPepperoni
A Maibok was named after the final winner was announced. And people were most certainly drinking. I don’t drink so I can’t say how good the winning beer was!
All in all, I came away from this festival not feeling disappointed with the treatment of the animals. I was able to pet a few of them. Billy and nanny goats weigh more than you think. While standing in front of the area reserved for the goats, two goats walked up to me with one walking into and leaning on my legs. They can easily weigh a staggering 200 lbs or more. I was pushed with a brush of one goat. The woman holding onto them apologized but I genuinely liked the goats standing with me.
When I had originally seen the listing for this I knew I had to go to investigate. I had to know if it’s abusive and cruel to the goats.
You can see a short clip I took here.
photo/TinaEvangelistaEppenstein
photo/TinaEvangelistaEppenstein
Animals are too easily used and abused by people for entertainment purposes. It was refreshing to see that the only abuse that occurred that day was having to see a couple who was obviously drunk attempting to make out in front of my husband and me. Now, that I didn’t need to witness!
photo/TinaEvangelista-Eppenstein
Tina Evangelista-Eppenstein is a television talk show host, speaker, writer and is an unabashed animal advocate . Her love for animals is what drives her to promote awareness of the many issues facing animals. She hosts the show, ” A Close-Up Look at Animal Welfare Issues.” If you’d like Tina to talk to your group or have a story, please email her at tevangelistaepp@yahoo.com. Like https://www.facebook.com/ACloseUpLookAtAnimalWelfareIssues and check out AnimalWelfareIssues.com for all the tv shows, articles, and podcasts you may have missed!
There is goat racing in some other country where they actually race the goats and they’re pulling a cart with children in them. This is cruel to the goats it’s too much for them to be pulling children in a cart.
Watch the race and this seems like fun and not crawl through the goats .
Why must people race animals at all? Sounds stupid.
I don’t know whether I should laugh or cry. Using animals for entertainment basically isn’t fun for the animals. I can’t see the video so I can’t comment on it. I don’t know. Never heard of goat racing. Weird. What people won’t do with animals.
Why do so many animal groups mix boozing it up with their events? Is that the only way they get people to attend them and make money? Very interesting. Don’t mix booze and animals.
I’ve been there! The goats are treated very well. I wish I had a goat. They’re so lovable and cute. So soft too. Do you know who won?
Never heard of a goat race. Geez, what won’t people do with animals. Glad to know it’s all in fun and not like greyhound or horse racing. Two despicable types of racing I abhor. People suck.