By Thomas Sellers Jr.
With parking vendors running out of tickets throughout Saturday, City of Millington employees gladly retrieved more for the 2021 International Goat Days Festival.
In years past the annual showcase bringing thousands to Millington was a two day affair held at the historic USA Stadium. After the cancellation of the 2020 edition because of COVID-19, Goat Days returned on September 11, 2021 at the Millington Sports Complex.
Goat Days was founded and organized by the late W.S. “Babe” Howard. The 2021 event honored his memory and the late Larry Silvey with the tractor show featuring one of his old vehicles.
In July 2020, the City of Millington announced Goat Days was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. That gave the city time to make plans for the 2021 Goat Days with the need of a new location The location because of the sale of USA Stadium.
The Millington Sports Complex got a test run back in July of this year with the 2021 Flag City Freedom Celebration. With space for bounce houses, vendors, food trucks and goat grazing areas, city employees were ready to host the event including a concert area and car show display.
Goat Days 2021 kicked off with the Lion’s Club Pancake Breakfast at 7 a.m. The gates open to the public with entertainment like live music all day, craft and local vendors (nearly 70), multiple food vendors, the El Toro Taco and Hot Rod Barn Show and Shine Car Show benefiting the Millington Crisis Center, an Antique Tractor Show, Hot Air Balloon Rides in the morning and evening.
There was ax throwing and even Millington Mayor Terry Jones joined his family to climb the rock wall. Saturday also featured a Corn Hole Tournament with 901 Nation, an all-day kid zone benefiting the Kiwanis Club of Millington, Twisted Mr. Rogers the balloon twister. The KCBS Championship BBQ Contest was held Friday and Saturday. Event organizers and sponsors were happy with the turnout and how the event ran at its first-time location.
