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Each week on the Junior Curators blog, we travel back in time to a different place in Tennessee history. Stories may be about a famous person, place or event from Tennessee’s past. They will include things like priceless artifacts, pictures, videos, and even some games. Be sure to better understand the story by answering the questions at the end of each post.

After learning the story, be sure to share what you've learned with your parents, family, or friends. Try making your own exhibit about it, shooting a movie, or writing a story about it. Let your creativity run wild!

11-19-20

Go See Tennessee: The G.O.A.T of Tennessee Festivals

by Emilee Dehmer

The G.O.A.T of Tennessee Festivals

Middle Tennessee: Goats, Music, and More Festival, Lewisburg

There are so many cool and exciting places in Tennessee. So many, that you might not know about them all. That’s what Go See Tennessee is all about. We’re here to tell you about places we think are neat and that you might want to visit too. It might be helpful to make a “Go and See” List, and whenever you read about a place that sounds cool, write it down, to help you remember it for the future. Ready for this week’s place? Let’s go!

Goats. There are mountain goats, Boer goats, mini goats, pygmy goats, and so many more. You may have even seen or petted a goat in a petting zoo before, but have you ever gone to a festival all about goats? If not, the Goats, Music and More Festival in Lewisburg earns a spot on your ‘goat and see’ list.

You can find goats many places. These two were spotted in Murfreesboro, TN.

You can find goats many places. These two were spotted in Murfreesboro, TN.

The Goats, Music, and More Festival began in 2002 to honor the famous fainting goats of Marshall County. These goats are called fainting goats because when scared, they fall over onto their backs. These goats are also called the Tennessee Fainting Goat. They were first brought to Tennessee in the 1800s and their popularity spread from here.

 

Goats can be used in many ways. This is a Former Governor Clements riding in a goat cart with his family. 

Goats can be used in many ways. This is a Former Governor Clements riding in a goat cart with his family.

The festival has all sorts of activities for you to enjoy. There is the goat show, where judges choose who has the best goat. They have a 5k you can run in, or you can relax with some goat yoga. There are arts and craft stands, food tables, face painting stations and a big concert at the end of the night. And of course you’ll see plenty of goats to pet and hold.   

Since the festival happens around Halloween, people dress up themselves- and their goats!

Since the festival happens around Halloween, people dress up themselves- and their goats!

These fainting goats are famous to Tennessee and may be pretty funny to watch, but what exactly makes them faint? These goats’ real names are “myotonic goats.” Myotonic describes what happens to their leg muscles when they get scared. It makes their legs get really stiff, so they lose their balance and fall over. Don’t worry, this doesn’t hurt the goats and they can stand back up in just a few seconds. You can watch a goat faint, here: .

So if you like goats, music, and more- don’t faint! Just head on down to the Goats, Music and More festival in Lewisburg which happens every October. Don’t let this good time be the one that goat away.

To Learn More, visit their website: http://www.goatsmusicandmore.com/

Emilee Dehmer is an Educator at the Tennessee State Museum.

Posted by Katie Yenna at 08:00
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