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An escaped goat in 2016. Photographer unknown. LINK nky file photo | LINK nky archives

Well, the Goebel Goats are finally giving their side of the story after a Saturday full of hijinks led the popular animals astray.

Here’s what happened (in case you haven’t seen the story covered extensively here – including a 75 minute live-stream on Facebook – or on national news or even global ones): the Covington Farmers Market opened for the season on Saturday, the same day that the famed Goebel Goats were to return to their namesake park in Mainstrasse Village where they have helped maintain the grass and weeds since last year. 

Farmers Market manager Gus Wolf also happens to take care of the Goebel Goats, so why not create a special event around the market and the goats’ return, right?

Wolf created “The First Annual Running of the Goats”, a sort-of parade of the 7 Goebel Goats from the Farmers Market on Third Street to their summer home across town at Goebel Park. As soon as the event was announced on Facebook, it took off — with hundreds, and then thousands of people interested.

On Saturday, hundreds waited on Third Street for the goats to begin their walk — but as soon as it started, something went awry. Five goats got loose and led their handlers on a 24-hour chase.

So, what happened? The Goebel Goats took to their Twitter feed to share their side of the story.

And there you have it. So… do you buy this story?