SISTER BAY, WI (WTAQ) – The fourth annual Sister Bay Goat Parade, to overuse a popular phrase, is a tradition unlike any other.
The main attraction for Saturday’s event was the goat procession to Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant, featuring about two dozen goats.
“Every year, it’s been more goats. And the herd gets a little larger; our herd gets a little bit larger. Goat herders, and goat farmers in the immediate area bring their goats and we march them down Main Street, to the roof,” Rolf Johnson, son of founder Al Johnson, told FOX 11.
Visitors to this summertime event numbered in the hundreds, and they came from all around.
“We just wanted to see. We came up here to Al Johnson’s several times, and we just wanted to watch them bring in the goats,” said Kevin Hoyland, Iowa City, Iowa.
“The goat parade was awesome. What was cool about it? Well of course, seeing the goats. We brought the whole family out. So that was wonderful,” said George Jumes, Appleton.
“Quite interesting. Just not something we normally see in Sarasota, Florida, we just came from. It’s quite cool though,” said Michael Mrazik, Sarasota, Florida.
A new twist this year is that Goat Fest opened in a Swedish beer garden next door, featuring music, food and more.
“We moved an authentic Scandinavian building onto the site,” said Johnson. “I think anytime you can bring people together with animals, it’s incredibly therapeutic, first and foremost. But it’s also fun. And that’s what it’s all about.”
The goats have been a tourist attraction on Al Johnson’s roof since 1973.
