CONTACT INFORMATION:
Kate Armitage, Director
Arts, Recreation, Parks & Communications
City of Millington
karmitage@cityofmillington.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INTERNATIONAL GOAT DAYS RETURNS SEPTEMBER 12 & 13
MILLINGTON, TN (AUGUST 18, 2014) - International Goat Days returns to USA Stadium Complex in Millington for the 25th Annual event September 12 & 13. The two day family festival is packed with fun for the whole family. Millington is thrilled to welcome back the nationally acclaimed Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show. This action-packed lumberjack show features World Champion Lumberjacks log rolling, chopping, sawing, axe throwing and more! The Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show is a historical, educational, humorous show, filled with audience participation. This is a must see event! Millington is equally proud to announce that in addition to the Babe Howard and Robin Cotton Memorial MGR Goat Shows, Goat Days will include the Myotonic Goat Registry’s National Championships in conjunction with the 25th Annual event. Prized show goats and their owners and handlers from across America will come to Millington for International Goat Days and a chance to win the National Championship.
International Goat Days Festival is a family-oriented festival unlike any other. For 19 years the event founder, Mr. Babe Howard produced the festival as a gift to the community. Since Mr. Howard’s passing in 2008, the City continues the tradition. 25 years later, International Goat Days remains a family festival that promises fun for all ages. “It is a pleasure to coordinate Millington’s Annual International Goat Days Festival,” said Kate Armitage Director of Arts, Recreation & Parks for the City of Millington. “I love Goat Days! The event is coordinated by the City, in association with numerous civic groups and area non-profits. It is generously supported by area businesses and is truly the community’s festival,” said Armitage. “Goat Days brings the community together to learn of the past, raise money for area non-profits and celebrate the present with friends and neighbors,” said Armitage.
The event kicks off with The World’s Greatest Goat Parade beginning at 5:00 PM followed by Opening Ceremonies for the 25th Annual Event. Festival gates will be open from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM on Friday and 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM on Saturday. Other Friday night fun includes the first of the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Shows, an Open Barrel Race, West Tennessee Mini Tractor Pull, Goat Milking Demonstrations, The Pardners in Concert, MGR Babe Howard Memorial Goat Show, KCBS Sanctioned BBQ Contest, Arts and Crafts, the Kid Zone and more!
Saturday is packed with activities from the time the gates open at 7:00 AM for the Lions Club Pancake Breakfast through the finale at 10:00 PM. The entertainment planned for Saturday includes the El Toro Taco and Hot Rod Barn Show and Shine Car Show benefiting the Millington Crisis Center, 2 Rodeos presented by the Tennessee Junior Rodeo Association and a tractor pull presented by the Dixie Irons. There will be 3 chances to catch the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show on Saturday, Model Aviation Demonstrations by the Barnstorms throughout the day and the KCBS Sanctioned BBQ Contest. For goat enthusiasts there will be MGR Sanctioned Goat Shows, Goat Chariot Races, Goat Obstacle Course, Junior and Senior Milking Contests, Kids on Parade and more. Saturday will also feature the Kids’ Fishing Rodeo, the Kids’ Tractor Pull, Horseshoe Tournament, Live Music, Arts and Crafts and more.
The 25th Annual International Goat Days Festival is presented by the City of Millington and sponsored by Bull Diamond Enterprizes, Republic Services, Homer Skelton Ford, Homer Skelton Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Ritter Communications and Millington area businesses. The cost is $5 per carload to park. The festival admission is FREE. For more information, contact Millington Arts, Recreation & Parks at www.millingtontn.gov or call 901.873.5770.
ABOUT MILLINGTON, TENNESSEE
Located just minutes from Memphis, Millington enjoys an exceptional quality of life for an estimated 10,000 citizens. Quality education, recreation and economic growth make Millington a great place to live, work and play. Millington is home to the Millington Municipal School District as well as a variety of public and private, faith based schools and various colleges, universities and technical institutions in the area. In 2004 The University of Memphis opened its Millington Campus and offers undergraduate and graduate courses in numerous fields of study. Millington is home to Naval Support Activity Mid-South, Ingram Micro, Memphis International Raceway, USA Stadium, Mirichich and other golf courses providing opportunities for economic growth and world-class recreation. Millington’s West Tennessee Regional Business Center, a publicly owned business and industry center, features 1900 acres of prime industrial space with easy access to the Millington Regional Jetport and the Canadian National Railroad. True intermodal transportation and shipping, makes Millington the perfect place for business. Widely known as “Flag City, USA,” Millington truly offers the best of the Mid-South.
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