STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Event: Goatham 2025: The Great Goat Graze-Off — a competitive eating contest for goats

• When: Saturday, July 12 | 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

• Where: Lawn north of Ten Mile Playground, West 151st St. & West Side Highway

• Goats Competing: Romeo, Mallomar, Butterball, Kash, and Rufus

• Purpose: To honor the goats’ role in eliminating invasive plants in Riverside Park

• Hosted by: George Shea of Major League Eating

• Entertainment: Live music from NYC’s Nice Brass

• Entry: Free with RSVP requested

In a twist no one saw coming—but everyone now eagerly anticipates—West Harlem is set to host what may be one of the most unconventional spectacles of the summer: a competitive eating contest featuring not humans, but goats. Titled Goatham 2025: The Great Goat Graze-Off, this unique event will unfold on July 12, turning a quiet patch of Riverside Park into the battleground for a high-stakes, herbivorous showdown.

At the heart of this unusual gathering is a herd of five goats—Romeo, Mallomar, Butterball, Kash, and Rufus—who have become local favorites through their work with the Riverside Park Conservancy. These goats aren’t new to the neighborhood; they’ve spent the past five summers helping to clear the park of invasive plant species like poison ivy. This year, their efforts are being recognized in a whole new way: a fast-paced eating competition where the first goat to finish a set amount of weeds will take the title.

Presiding over this peculiar contest will be George Shea, a familiar voice in the world of competitive eating. Known for hosting the famed Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest and serving as chair of Major League Eating, Shea brings his signature flair to the goat arena.

“We are very excited to get into this,” said Shea.
“In my view, it opens up the entire animal kingdom for our franchise.”

For Major League Eating, an organization that typically oversees sanctioned food contests among human participants, this event marks a rare departure. While the group once attempted a cross-species bun-eating contest involving humans and elephants, Shea admits that the results were less than stellar.

“It was a horrific failure for humanity—we lost so badly,” he recalled.
“But this time, it’s all animals, all the way.”

The goats will be introduced individually in what Shea promises will be a “very grand” fashion, leading up to the main event expected to last a “fairly dramatic” minute. Their mission? To devour a set quantity of invasive plants as quickly as possible. The goat that finishes first will be crowned the champion.

Shea compared the goats’ raw eating power to that of legendary human competitor Joey Chestnut, emphasizing that it’s not about savoring flavor—it’s about speed and sheer determination.

“I’ve seen goats eat weeds, and their ability is remarkable,” Shea said.
“It is similar to a Joey Chestnut, who is less interested in savoring the flavor than he is in productivity—of getting the food down.”

When asked if one goat stood out as a potential favorite, Shea hesitated to reveal any spoilers.

“I don’t want to tip the scales for any wagering that might be happening,” he noted, with a grin.
“But some goats are noticeably better than others and eat faster.”

Profiles of all five competitors are available on the Riverside Park Conservancy’s website, allowing fans to familiarize themselves with the personalities and backgrounds of each grazing contestant.

The Graze-Off is far from the first time these goats have been in the spotlight. In years past, they’ve been featured in public events including a popularity contest where New Yorkers were invited to vote for the Greatest Of All Time—or G.O.A.T.—among the herd. The winner, fittingly, was awarded a wreath, which it immediately ate.

This, however, will be the first official eating competition dedicated to their grazing skills. It promises both entertainment and education, shining a light on how the goats contribute to maintaining Riverside Park’s ecological balance.

“It’s a celebration of their work and their skill,” said a Conservancy spokesperson.
“And a fun way to engage the community with local park care.”

The free event will be held on the lawn just north of the Ten Mile Playground, at West 151st Street and the West Side Highway, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 12. Though admission is open, RSVPs are requested to help the organizers plan.

And it’s not just about the goats. Attendees can also enjoy a performance by Nice Brass, a NYC-based brass band inspired by the vibrant sounds of New Orleans street music. Their lively tunes will add a festive rhythm to the day’s unusual competition.

As West Harlem readies itself for this grass-chomping showdown, all eyes will be on the goats. Whether Romeo’s romantic charm, Mallomar’s cool demeanor, Butterball’s bulk, Kash’s quickness, or Rufus’s reliability will triumph remains to be seen—but one thing is clear: this is not your average Saturday in the park.

As New York City prepares to host Goatham 2025: The Great Goat Graze-Off, Riverside Park is set to transform into a stage of both amusement and admiration. Blending ecological awareness with light-hearted entertainment, this first-of-its-kind goat-only eating contest promises more than just spectacle—it honors the tireless work of these four-legged landscapers. With music, merriment, and a dash of competitive spirit, the event stands as a quirky celebration of nature, community, and creative public engagement. For New Yorkers seeking something delightfully different, this grazing gala may just steal the summer spotlight.

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