COVINGTON, KY - The Kentucky Derby has Derby Week. The Reds’ Opening Day has its parade. The Kentucky Speedway has its race-day tailgating.
Here in Covington, the warm-weather return of the Goebel Goats has the 3rd Annual Running of Goats and Spring Celebration.
The festival - to be held 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, April 22, at the Hellmann Creative Center at 321 MLK Jr. Blvd./12th St. - will bring a crowd of people to Covington’s Westside neighborhood to celebrate the return of Covington’s four-legged weed destroyers.
Organized by Westside residents, this event has quickly become a much-anticipated way to observe the onset of warmer weather.
“This is the best day of the year in our Westside neighborhood!” said Janet Tobler, one of the organizers. “It is nice to see so many people come out to support our local small businesses, non-profits and musicians. There will be a few surprises, too!”
This year, the festival-style celebration includes 25-plus local food and craft vendors, live bands, a kid’s tent, the Westside plant sale, craft beer and of course, the return of the Goebel Goats and their annual parade to their summer quarters.
Having spent their winter on their farm, the goats will be driven to the Hellmann Creative Center earlier in the day.
At 6 p.m. they will be escorted to their summer home at Goebel Park on Philadelphia Street during a public parade that has gained national publicity for the Running of the Goebel Goats (think of a much calmer, peaceful version of the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain). There the goats will not only be live ambassadors for the city but will also earn their keep by keeping down the weeds on visible hillsides.
Come join the fun - the event is free and open to the public.
Special thanks to The Center for Great Neighborhoods for graciously hosting the event at the Hellmann Creative Center.