Lewisburg Goat Festival 2008 GMMF

Mark your calendars! We hope to see you here!! Stop by and see us at Booths 50, 51, and 52! We'll have Goat Marionettes, Goat Soap, Goat Bird Feeders, and Antiques and Collectibles. We'll also have some of our Nigerian Dwarf Goat kids showing their stuff at our booth!

Why Lewisburg TN for the Fainting Goat Festival?...read the History of the Fainting Goat taken from the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy and you'll see why..Marshall County TN is the first place of known origin in the US!!

"The breed's history can be traced back to the 1880s. An itinerant farm laborer named John Tinsley came to Marshall County in central Tennessee, reputedly from Nova Scotia. Tinsley had with him four unusual, stiff goats. Goats of this type gradually became known across the region. They were less apt to climb fences and escape from pastures than other goats, and their muscular conformation and high reproductive rate were also valued. Farmers began to appreciate them, and the numbers of "stiff," "nervous," or "fainting" goats increased. During the 1950s, some Tennessee Fainting goats were taken to the hill country of central Texas. They were further selected for meat qualities, including larger size, and came to be known as "Wooden Leg" goats.

In the late 1980s, both the Tennessee and Texas branches of this breed were rediscovered. The new enthusiasm for the goats diverged into two major endeavors. One group of breeders worked in the historic tradition, emphasizing the meat qualities of the animals and selecting for growth rate, conformation, and reproductive efficiency. The other group selected for extreme stiffness and small size, promoting the breed as a novelty animal.

As a landrace breed, Tennessee Fainting goats were always variable in size. This variability, emphasized by recent selection, has given rise to a population which ranges in weight from 60-175 pounds. Heavily muscled conformation is consistent among the goats. The ears of Tennessee goats are larger and more horizontal than Swiss breed goats, but smaller and less drooping than Nubian or Spanish goats. The facial profile is usually concave. Most goats are horned, and horns vary from large and twisted to small and simple. While most of the goats have short hair, long haired goats are not unusual and some animals produce cashmere.

Tennessee Fainting goats are found in almost all colors known in goats. Kidding season is always exciting, as new color combinations pop up. Since does like to keep their kids hidden for a few days, looking for these multicolored kids can be like hunting Easter eggs. Does are prolific, with an extended breeding season, and some does will bear kids every six months. Most does produce twins or triplets regularly and have plenty of milk to raise them.

The Tennessee Fainting goat breed is gaining attention for its combination of meat traits with reproductive efficiency, and it is increasingly recognized as an important genetic resource in the United States. Goats are being used both as purebreds and for crossing with other breeds, especially the Boer goat, a recent import from South Africa. While crossbreeding can demonstrate the genetic value of the Tennessee Fainting goat, overuse of purebred does for crossing would threaten the survival of this unique and important American goat breed. It is a high conservation priority.

Now you may be coming to see a goat faint. You might, and then again you might not. These guys are NOT trained to do this. It's their nature. We do not make them faint just for the fun of watching them do it. We do not encourage making them faint. If you REALLY want to see it happen..I mean...REALLY want to watch one faint..then click here for Video of Fainting Goats in Action! (Be patient..may take a bit to load but worth it if you need to see fainting goats).

For those of you that follow the Goats Music and More Festival happenings I've set up a Yahoo Group for information as it becomes available and comments afterwards. To join see the link near the bottom of the page.

The GMMF also has a new tollfree number which will connect you with whomever you need to find out any information regarding the festival.

See Animal Clinics at the bottom of this page for boarding of your dogs if needed. All Goats (at the shows or people walking around with them) and other petting zoo animals on the property must have current Health Certificates and follow USDA Scrapie Regulations.

Any goat that you are wanting to sell must be entered in one of the shows..either the Boer, Fainting Goat, or Silky Fainters show. Sales of goats otherwise on premises is not allowed.

7 am 5K Goat Run
9 am Food & Craft Vendors Booths Open
9 am Children’s Activities Start - Kid's Area
10 am World Champion Fainting Goat Show - Fainting Goat Tent
10-4pm Karaoke
5 pm Dee Reilly - Main Stage
6 pm Lee Roy Parnell - Main Stage
7 pm Delbert McClinton - Main Stage

9 am Food & Crafts Vendors Booths Open
9 am Goatly Goblins Contest - Main Stage
9 am Mini-Silky Goat Association Show - Fainting Goat Tent
9:30 Goat Yodeling Contest - Main Stage
10 am Nannies and Kids Pageant - Kid's Stage
10 am John D. Taylor Memorial Boer Goat Show - Boer Goat Tent
11 am Myotonic Goat Registry Sanctioned Goat Show - Fainting Goat Tent
Noon Second Annual Lewisburg Rotary Club State Championship
BAR-B-Q COOK-OFF / LEWISBURG, TN
a K.C.B.S. sanctioned event*
(this event held in the area on same side as Pavilian in the rear parking area under the trees)
1 pm Youth Entertainment - Kid's Stage
1 pm Acoustic/Bluegrass
5 pm Dee Reilly - Main Stage
6 pm Shawn Klush (Elvis Tribute) - Main Stage
7 pm 1964 The Tribute (Beatles) - Main Stage

John D. Taylor Memorial Boer Goat Show (IBGA Sanctioned Show)... For Information: Pat Taylor (931-364-7171) startec@hughesnet.com

Southern Middle Tennessee Fainting Goat Show and Sale including the 2nd Annual Miniature Silky Fainting Goat Show

Hits include "Giving It Up For Your Love", "Two More Bottles of Wine", "B Movie Boxcar Blues" and more!

Hits include "What Kind of Fool (Do You Think I Am)", "Long Way to Fall", "Take These Chains From My Heart" and many more!

Check out the artists websites by clicking on their names for Bios, Pics, and much more!

PLEASE NOTE: ALL TIMES AND SCHEDULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UP TO AND INCLUDING THE DAYS OF THE FESTIVAL

If you are interested in being a vendor for the 2008 festival please see the official site for a form ..deadline to submit is early Sept.. Price is $100 per booth space for craft vendors and $150 for food vendors for the two days and will include electricity if so needed. Bring your own extension cords! No reserved spaces...you will be sent a packet with your space number and your parking passes before the festival. No holds for spaces. You must send in your app and payment to insure you get a space.

2005 AND 2006 AND 2007 Festivals sold out early of vendor space. We will be adding a few additional spaces this year but we still expect it to be a sellout, so don't wait til the last minute ...get your forms back in early!!

(Picture by JAE S. LEE / STAFF)

Photo by BILL STEBER / TENNESSEAN STAFF
Gene McNutt stands over one of his Tennessee Fainting Goats at his farm in Chapel Hill, Tenn. Nearby Lewisburg will hold a goat festival in October, which will feature the Tennessee Fainting Goat.

The 2007 Festival was A HUGE SUCCESS! OVER 15,000 IN ATTENDANCE! JOIN MY YAHOO GROUP TO FIND OUT EXCITING DETAILS ABOUT THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE!! MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD. YOUR OPINIONS AND COMMENTS ARE WELCOME ON THE GOATFESTIVAL YAHOO GROUP

For Motel Information Contact: Marshall County Chamber of Commerce (931-359-3863 or www.marshallchamber.org

Henry Horton State Park (866-836-6757 or 931-364-2222) Located at 4358 Nashville Hwy Chapel Hill, TN 37034

Celebration Inn (931-359-7490) Located at 1234 Nashville Hwy Lewisburg, TN 37091

Richland Inn (800-207-1021) Located at 723 E. Commerce St. Lewisburg, TN 37091 or visit www.richlandinn.com

Walking Horse Lodge (931-359-4005) Located at 255 N. Ellington Pkwy Lewisburg, TN 37091

Texas T Campground (931-293-2500) Located at 2499 Lynnville Hwy Cornersville TN 37047 or visit www.texastcampground.com

Dr. Roger Story, Companion Animal Hospital (931-359-6376) Located at 1340 S. Ellington Pkwy Lewisburg, TN 37091 or visit www.companionah.com

Meredith Warner Animal Clinic (931-359-3945) Located at 1370 Nashville Hwy Lewisburg TN 37091 or visit www.critterhaven.com/mwac/

Lewisburg Animal Clinic, Dr. Victor Wakefield (931-359-5945) Located at 1113 East Commerce St. Lewisburg, TN 37091

All About Animals, Dr. Jennifer Byrd (931-364-2305) Located near Hwy 99East Chapel Hill TN 37034 www.aaavc.net

NO PETS ALLOWED OFF LEASH...NO PETS WITHIN 100 FEET OF SHOW TENTS!

Directions: From I-65 take Exit 37 towards Lewisburg on Hwy 50; Stay on Hwy 50 which turns into Ellington Bypass. Watch for parking signs and Rock Creek Memorial Park signs........OR

From I-65 take Exit 32 towards Lewisburg on Hwy 373; Stay on Hwy 373 which turns into West Commerce. Continue until you reach the town square and follow the signs to Rock Creek Memorial Park.

*Times are subject to change. For more information call 1-866-96-GOAT or visit the official website at http://www.goatsmusicandmore.com

Please Note: The above group is NOT an official group of the GMMF and is not affiliated directly with the GMMF or the City of Lewisburg. Neither is this website..it's mine!

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