JEFFERSON — The Goats of Goat Island started out as natural lawn mowers and have become a symbol of the city of Jefferson, friendly mascots bringing the community together for a festival every August and even inspiring street art.
A few years ago, a small island the city owned at the convergence of the Rock and Crawfish rivers was infested with noxious weeds, but the city couldn’t easily get to the island with mowing equipment. An innovative solution was proposed: to bring in some goats would eat the offending weeds and improve the view.
The city brought in a small herd of goats via pontoon boat and established them on the weedy island, where the animal instantly began cropping the weeds.
Thus, the previously unnamed island became Goat Island, and the goats began to be celebrities, pointed out by families as they passed within sight of the island.
Soon the goats were visiting schools and libraries, and the community instituted Goat Fest to give the public a chance to meet the goats — and to raise money to support the animals and the continued upkeep of the island.
Jefferson’s fifth Goat Fest took place Saturday at Rotary Waterfront Park, bringing in a good crowd of people despite the hot, muggy weather. The event has run each year but one since 2019.
One of the first-time visitors to this year’s fest was Sandy Pelc, who had herself tried the “goat solution” to positive effect.
“My property’s shoreline is really steep and when I bought it, it was totally overgrown with weeds including poison ivy,” said Pelc, who lives in rural Jefferson along Highway K.
“I hired a herd of 60 goats out of Whitewater and they cleaned that place up in three days,” Pelc said. “They love poison ivy.”
The Jefferson resident said that during their three-day mowing spree, the goats were a real attraction at her property, and some of her friends came out to see the spectacle.
“I love goats,” Pelc said, who brought her daughter-in-law and granddaughter to Goat Fest Saturday.
The event, featuring the Goat Island goats petting zoo, goat races, live music, face-painting, kids’ crafts and activities, food and a maker fair, brought out a large segment of the community.
Megan Cooper, director of the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce, said that the chamber is proud to be involved with such a “neat and unique community fest.”
“There isn’t anything not to like,” Cooper said. “It attracts people of all ages and backgrounds. There’s something for everyone. People can hang out and listen to music, enjoy the food and the great view, and of course meet the goats.”
Cooper said early Saturday afternoon that she was really pleased with the turnout, especially considering the muggy weather.
With temperatures hovering around 87 degrees, most of the adults were congregating in the shade or at the riverside where a breeze stirred the heavy air, while the children ran around, undeterred by the heat.
A good crowd came out for the goat races, which ran every two hours across the Milwaukee Street Walkbridge, led by young volunteer Jezebel Stoker, 12, Jefferson, who jogged ahead of the animals carrying a tantalizing bag of animal crackers.
Meanwhile, people were lining up to support the goats, buying goat merchandise, T-shirts, hats with horns and ears, and raffle tickets at the Friends of Goat Island tents.
“It costs money to raise goats, on or off the island, but this has also turned out to be a great way to bring the community together for a cause,” said Melinda Perez, event coordinator. “We never thought it would become quite such a hit.”
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