(June 16, 2016) Snow Hill does have few things to hang its hat on as compared to some larger municipalities: the county seat, the Pocomoke River and what it hopes will be another attraction: a tiny spit of land with a goat on it.
Located just off the bank of the Pocomoke River within Byrd Park, the island doesn’t seem to have a set story of origin, though Pocomoke River and Kayak Company owner Barry Laws tells a popular version.
“Between the park and Goat Island used to be all swamp,” Laws said. “It was dredged in the 1930s and the spoil placed where the island is, but they didn’t build it up enough. Someone put a couple of goats on it to maintain the property.”
Shipwrecks, and a rogue goat from a petting zoo are other theories behind why Snow Hill has a tiny island with a goat or two on it, and not much else. Currently there is only one goat on the island, and there he’ll stay because, Day said, goats don’t swim.
“It’s a shame they don’t like to get wet, so we won’t have a goat swim like Chincoteague has with the ponies.”
Today there are a few goat amenities including feeders and makeshift shelters for the animal, or animals, that inhabit the island, which is good, because apparently there are more goats in store for Goat Island.
“I’ve always wanted to do something with Goat Island,” Economic Development consultant Michael Day said. “I love the name, I love the idea. I was approached by Sandy Deeley of Walk on Water to do a race.”
The race has since evolved into a weekend event, races, petting zoos and, of course, goats.
“These are Nigerian Dwarf Goats,” Day said of the animals to be relocated to the island next month. “I heard from the breeder and right now they’re not old enough to put on the island, but they are old enough to play — they’re like puppies.”
Contrary to some advertisements for the event, Day said the town would not be passing out live goats as prizes for anything, though naming rights to some of the live animals and plush goats will be available.
Tomorrow, registration begins in front of Harvest Moon downtown 6:30 — 8:30 p.m., weather permitting. Registration will be moved inside the café if the weather doesn’t permit. The cost is $25. All forms of paddling are permitted: stand-up paddle boarding, prone, kayak and OC-1.
Registration is also permitted on Saturday from 7:30 — 8:30 a.m. with a racers’ meeting at 8:45 a.m. The six-mile Elite race will begin shortly after that at 9 a.m. At 10:45 a.m. the recreational racers will meet and start 15 minutes later on their three-mile course.
At 12:30 p.m. the kid’s race will begins and the award ceremony is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
On Sunday, the racer’s meeting is scheduled for 7:45 a.m. for the 8 a.m. start of the 17-mile team/solo race. Multiple classes can compete in this race: solo, two-person and four-person teams. The award ceremony is scheduled for noon.
Day said the town may be opening the Route 12 drawbridge to start the endurance event, so weekend drivers could see delays if the idea becomes reality.
There wasn’t an exact count of registrants available before the races, but Day said the latest numbers he saw showed 125 pre-registrants.
Day said the event sponsors would be providing $5,000 worth of prizes for race winners.
There will be mainland activities at the park during the races as well. Different paddling demonstrations are a sure thing, Day said, along with a goat petting zoo and standard petting zoo.
“We’re going all out on this,” Day said. “We’ve power washed the decks, and people may not know but there’s a really nice dock and a quarter-mile hiking trail on the island. We’re trying to get more picnic tables out there too.”
The goal is to make Goat Island a destination in its own right, rather than a conversation piece or a subject of conjecture.
“The Berlin Chamber of Commerce will be selling beer. The Kettle Corn guy will be here. Harvest Moon will have a sandwich runner,” Day said. “We’re just going for it — if it turns out nice we’ll make it bigger next year. I think it can be a gigantic event for Snow Hill. We’re looking hard to see if we can make something grow here.”
Located just off the bank of the Pocomoke River within Byrd Park, the island doesn’t seem to have a set story of origin, though Pocomoke River and Kayak Company owner Barry Laws tells a popular version.
“Between the park and Goat Island used to be all swamp,” Laws said. “It was dredged in the 1930s and the spoil placed where the island is, but they didn’t build it up enough. Someone put a couple of goats on it to maintain the property.”
Shipwrecks, and a rogue goat from a petting zoo are other theories behind why Snow Hill has a tiny island with a goat or two on it, and not much else. Currently there is only one goat on the island, and there he’ll stay because, Day said, goats don’t swim.
“It’s a shame they don’t like to get wet, so we won’t have a goat swim like Chincoteague has with the ponies.”
Today there are a few goat amenities including feeders and makeshift shelters for the animal, or animals, that inhabit the island, which is good, because apparently there are more goats in store for Goat Island.
“I’ve always wanted to do something with Goat Island,” Economic Development consultant Michael Day said. “I love the name, I love the idea. I was approached by Sandy Deeley of Walk on Water to do a race.”
The race has since evolved into a weekend event, races, petting zoos and, of course, goats.
“These are Nigerian Dwarf Goats,” Day said of the animals to be relocated to the island next month. “I heard from the breeder and right now they’re not old enough to put on the island, but they are old enough to play — they’re like puppies.”
Contrary to some advertisements for the event, Day said the town would not be passing out live goats as prizes for anything, though naming rights to some of the live animals and plush goats will be available.
Tomorrow, registration begins in front of Harvest Moon downtown 6:30 — 8:30 p.m., weather permitting. Registration will be moved inside the café if the weather doesn’t permit. The cost is $25. All forms of paddling are permitted: stand-up paddle boarding, prone, kayak and OC-1.
Registration is also permitted on Saturday from 7:30 — 8:30 a.m. with a racers’ meeting at 8:45 a.m. The six-mile Elite race will begin shortly after that at 9 a.m. At 10:45 a.m. the recreational racers will meet and start 15 minutes later on their three-mile course.
At 12:30 p.m. the kid’s race will begins and the award ceremony is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
On Sunday, the racer’s meeting is scheduled for 7:45 a.m. for the 8 a.m. start of the 17-mile team/solo race. Multiple classes can compete in this race: solo, two-person and four-person teams. The award ceremony is scheduled for noon.
Day said the town may be opening the Route 12 drawbridge to start the endurance event, so weekend drivers could see delays if the idea becomes reality.
There wasn’t an exact count of registrants available before the races, but Day said the latest numbers he saw showed 125 pre-registrants.
Day said the event sponsors would be providing $5,000 worth of prizes for race winners.
There will be mainland activities at the park during the races as well. Different paddling demonstrations are a sure thing, Day said, along with a goat petting zoo and standard petting zoo.
“We’re going all out on this,” Day said. “We’ve power washed the decks, and people may not know but there’s a really nice dock and a quarter-mile hiking trail on the island. We’re trying to get more picnic tables out there too.”
The goal is to make Goat Island a destination in its own right, rather than a conversation piece or a subject of conjecture.
“The Berlin Chamber of Commerce will be selling beer. The Kettle Corn guy will be here. Harvest Moon will have a sandwich runner,” Day said. “We’re just going for it — if it turns out nice we’ll make it bigger next year. I think it can be a gigantic event for Snow Hill. We’re looking hard to see if we can make something grow here.”