As turbulent and divisive as the national circumstance is these days, it’s nice to see a healthy appreciation of silliness still exists.
That would be in reference to, of course, the idea that goats — they’re not just for lawn maintenance anymore — could be a vital ingredient in the economic resurgence of the Town of Snow Hill.
Yes, by establishing a small population of capra aegagrus hircus, or pygmy goats, on the Pocomoke River’s Goat Island and reworking it into a park-like setting, the town’s ever-creative economic development people believe this might become something of a tourist attraction.
It’s just different enough to draw more attention to a town that needs it. Ocean City, after all, may be the “White Marlin Capital of the Word,” but it doesn’t have any you can pet.
Silly ideas also can grow into something much more. “Punkin Chunkin’” up in Delaware, for instance, did not start out as anything more than a handful of bored guys looking for some fall foolishness to get into back in 1986. The first crowd of spectators, if that’s what you want to call it, was said to be about 40 people.
This is not to say that Goat Island-centered events will draw 20,000 people during one special weekend, but it could be something around which a larger festival might be built.
The critical thing is to have a reason for people to gather and an engaging marketing symbol to promote it beyond the confines of the town.
And why not? If carving (and eating) scrapple in Bridgeville, Delaware works once a year, if throwing cow chips works in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin, if Weird Week works in Ocean City, New Jersey, and if the Mud Festival packs them in down in San Antonio, Texas, then getting your goat on in Snow Hill could become a great celebration of silliness.
And, boy, we all could use some of that these days.
That would be in reference to, of course, the idea that goats — they’re not just for lawn maintenance anymore — could be a vital ingredient in the economic resurgence of the Town of Snow Hill.
Yes, by establishing a small population of capra aegagrus hircus, or pygmy goats, on the Pocomoke River’s Goat Island and reworking it into a park-like setting, the town’s ever-creative economic development people believe this might become something of a tourist attraction.
It’s just different enough to draw more attention to a town that needs it. Ocean City, after all, may be the “White Marlin Capital of the Word,” but it doesn’t have any you can pet.
Silly ideas also can grow into something much more. “Punkin Chunkin’” up in Delaware, for instance, did not start out as anything more than a handful of bored guys looking for some fall foolishness to get into back in 1986. The first crowd of spectators, if that’s what you want to call it, was said to be about 40 people.
This is not to say that Goat Island-centered events will draw 20,000 people during one special weekend, but it could be something around which a larger festival might be built.
The critical thing is to have a reason for people to gather and an engaging marketing symbol to promote it beyond the confines of the town.
And why not? If carving (and eating) scrapple in Bridgeville, Delaware works once a year, if throwing cow chips works in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin, if Weird Week works in Ocean City, New Jersey, and if the Mud Festival packs them in down in San Antonio, Texas, then getting your goat on in Snow Hill could become a great celebration of silliness.
And, boy, we all could use some of that these days.