Posted on September 14, 2017.
By Thomas Sellers Jr.
The 28th annual International Goat Days Family Festival kicked off Friday evening with the annual parade. Millington Mayor Terry Jones officially opened the 2017 edition of Goat Days after the National Anthem from Brighton Elementary’s Deon Christian. With ideal weather conditions, families started to file into the USA Stadium Complex by the car load. Local organizations like the Millington Arts Council were there to greet patrons. The MAC housed art events including a photo booth conducted by Amanda Moreno. Just across the way many food options were available like the longtime Millington business El Toro Taco. Down the path, the City of Millington’s official Goat Herder Dale Ray could be spotted with his uniform and goats near him. Ray gave way to younger fans of goats like 2-year-old Millington resident Zaelynn Albertson. Albertson was one of many to visit the area organized by Bunker Paradise Farms out of Munford. The family including son John Bunker, 14, assisted children on petting and interacting with the goats. Bunker said his family brought 5 goats to the event. So there were plenty of goats to visit for families like the Browns. Sisters Farrah, 9, Fallon, 3, and Finley Rose, 1, rolled up just before sunset on the opening night to enjoy all the activities. The smell of barbecue flowed throughout the night with many judges and wannabe judges making their way to the 2017 Smokin’ In The Goat Pen KCBS Championship BBQ Contest. Other family-fun events including hot-air balloon rides, tractor pulls, antique tractor show, equestrian events, car show and swap meet, arts and crafts, games and rides, fishing rodeo, horseshoe and corn hole tournaments and battle of the bands.
Benefiting many charitable organization, Goat Days was presented by the City of Millington in memory of the event founder, W. S. “Babe” Howard, sponsored by Republic Services, Ritter Communications, Homer Skelton Ford and Homer Skelton Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep.
