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Riverside Park Conservancy’s beloved landscaper goats will return to compete in the second annual “Great Goat Graze-Off” contest.

Posted July 10, 2026

A NEW GOAT CHALLENGER THROWS HIS HOOF IN THE RING! Riverside Park Conservancy’s beloved landscaper goats will return to compete in the second annual “Great Goat Graze-Off” contest.

https://riversideparknyc.org/event/goatham-2026-the-great-goat-graze-off/

New York, NY – Mallomar may have won Riverside Park Conservancy’s “Great Goat Graze-Off” in 2025, but can he hold onto his G.O.A.T. title this year? New upstart, Big Buddy, and returning challenger and MVP, Romeo, are both hungry and ready to baaaa-ttle it out to see who can eat the most weeds in the second-ever professional eating competition between goats! This year’s contest will be held on Saturday, July 18 (rain date July 19), from 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM, in West Harlem on the lawn north of Ten Mile Playground, at West 151st Street and the West Side Highway. Goats fans of all ages are encouraged to RSVP here.

The officially sanctioned competition will once again be hosted by George Shea of Major League Eating, best known for hosting the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.

“These goats possess the rare combination of focus, appetite and jaw strength that defines the greatest eaters in the world,” said Shea, chair of Major League Eating. “We are proud that competitive eating can serve as a bridge between humans and the animal kingdom, helping to bring our species together through the mutual pursuit of athletic achievement."

During the live, timed competition, the three caprine contestants will chew it out onstage to prove who can eat their share of botanicals the fastest. Only one goat can be crowned the G.O.A.T. Grazer – as the crowd roots for their favorite four-legged eating champion.

“Goats are known to be quite impressive eaters – they can eat 5% of their body weight every day! But no matter who wins the graze-off, we are all the true winners getting to enjoy their presence all summer long,” said Kristen Meade, Director of Volunteer Initiatives at Riverside Park Conservancy.

“The Great Goat Graze-Off” will provide goat fans with a chance to ‘meet and bleat’ fifteen visiting goats, including the three goats who will remain in Riverside Park for their 10-week residency. The event will feature local vendor booths, food and drink, live music, goat-themed merchandise, photo- ops, arts and crafts, games, and educational activities for all ages.

This year will also feature a live contest among the human attendees for “best homemade sign”; puns are encouraged, and prizes will be awarded.

After the festivities, they will head to their full-time summer job location at a vegetation-covered slope at West 137th Street where they will feast upon their favorite invasive plant species – like poison ivy, mugwort, and porcelain berry – until the fall.

The goats’ much-anticipated return will mark the seventh year of the Conservancy’s Goatham Initiative, a novel, pesticide-free method for clearing invasive plants from Riverside Park. Undaunted by steep slopes, goats can navigate terrain that presents a major challenge for human gardeners, removing dense overgrowth and preparing these areas for more ecologically beneficial plantings in the future. The program has been so successful, that two other jobsites at 119th St and 143rd St have already been cleared and are being replanted with new, biodiverse shrubs and trees.

“We’re so excited to bring back the Great Goat Graze Off for a second year,” said Merritt Birnbaum, President & CEO of Riverside Park Conservancy. “This event is about two things: celebrating sustainability in our Park, but most importantly, bringing joy and whimsy to our community. This is definitely an ‘only in New York’ moment, and one that we’re proud to lean in to during a time when New Yorkers are craving more ‘collective effervescence’ in our public spaces. Big Buddy is set to be a formidable competitor, but my heart says Romeo will get the win this year!”

“At NYC Parks, we're always looking for innovative ways to care for our green spaces, and these goats have certainly earned their place on the team,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “Whether they're competing in the Graze-Off or hard at work clearing invasive plants, they're making our parks healthier while giving New Yorkers a reason to smile. We're grateful to Riverside Park Conservancy for their continued partnership in bringing this creative and sustainable initiative to life, and we can't wait to cheer on this year's G.O.A.T. contenders.”

Riverside Park Conservancy rents the goats every year from the nonprofit organization, Green Goats, in Rhinebeck, NY. “Bringing goats to Riverside is a joyous experience. Imagine goats from a small, Rhinebeck farm ‘summering’ in NYC!!! It’s a goat’s dream come true,” says Annlilita Cihanek, co-founder of Green Goats.

“I’m thrilled to welcome back Romeo and Mallomar, along with this year’s mystery goat, for another friendly competition to help clear invasive plant species and restore one of Manhattan’s most beloved parks,” said Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal. “It’s a creative, sustainable approach that protects our environment without pesticides, and I’m grateful to the Riverside Park Conservancy for making it happen. I encourage every Manhattanite to come cheer on our four-legged landscapers at this year’s Great Goat Graze-Off.”

“The Riverside Park Conservancy’s goats have become icons of West Harlem, transforming green spaces for the better with their hard work and endless appetites. I’m excited for this year’s Graze Off, also known as the Super Bowl of the Animal Kingdom. As for my prediction for who will win, I simply wish all the competing goats good luck,” said Majority Leader Shaun Abreu.

“The return of the goats has become one of New York City's best summer traditions. They may draw crowds because they're charming, but they're also hard at work clearing invasive plants, improving the health of Riverside Park, and showing that sometimes the smartest environmental solutions are also the most creative,” said Council Member Gale A. Brewer.  “I can't wait to see who takes home the G.O.A.T. title this year. I picked the winner in 2025!”

Meet the Herd:

Romeo, the MVP Returning to Riverside Park for his fifth stint, Romeo is your forever best friend. He wants your hugs and a snuggle at night. He knows he can't solve all the world’s troubles, but he’ll be by your side through it all. Though he didn’t claim the G.O.A.T Grazer title last year, he still won the community’s heart and was voted MVP for the second year running!

Mallomar, the Returning Champion Mallomar, a staple in the Riverside Park herd year after year, is unwavering in his loyalty and courage. He might not be the loudest of the bunch, but his calm, steadfast nature provides security for those surrounding him who know he will always have their back. He’s returning to the Graze Off to defend his champion title.

Big Buddy, the Wild Card, Backed by Jenny’s Garden Specially selected by the volunteers at Riverside Park’s Jenny’s Garden, Big Buddy is an alpine goat who hails from Red Hook, NY. Though he might be new, he’s ready to vie for the CHOMP-ion title with his hoof-tastic grazing skills. Incredibly tall in stature and spirit, Big Buddy is convinced he may actually be part giraffe.

About Riverside Park Conservancy From 59th Street to 181st Street, from riverfront to city-side, Riverside Park Conservancy cares for and enhances six miles of parkland for present and future generations. Working together with the New York City Parks Department, we make improvements as diverse as the park itself and the city it serves.

About Major League Eating Major League Eating is the world body that oversees all professional eating contests. The organization, which developed competitive eating and includes the sport's governing body, the International Federation of Competitive Eating, helps sponsors to develop, publicize and execute world-class eating events in all varieties of food disciplines. MLE-sanctioned eating contests provide dramatic audience entertainment and offer an unparalleled platform for media exposure. Major League Eating holds approximately 70 events annually, including the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, NY. For more information, visit www.majorleagueeating.com and follow them on Twitter @eatingcontest.