Goat Festival Returns to San Francisco’s Ferry Plaza

Pet goats, eat artisan cheeses, and talk to local farmers at Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market on Saturday, April 16 from 10-2pm as part of the 8th annual Goat festival, presented by the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture (CUESA).

“Kids and adults are welcome to play with adorable baby goats in the Goat Festival petting stable, which will be located south driveway near the Sur La Table store. (UPDATE: Goat petting tickets are sold out.) Food lovers can taste local goat milk cheeses paired with preserves on a grab-and-go sampler plate available at the CUESA Info Booth in the black tent. Plates will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last.

There will also be a free, goat-cheese-themed cooking demo with Mark Dommen from One Market Restaurant at the CUESA Classroom under the white tents as well as a free discussion with local experts and ranchers about humane animal care and animal welfare certifications.

During regular market hours, browse the delicious offerings from our local ranchers, artisans, and chefs. See further below for the complete schedule of events and list of vendors.

Tickets for activities such as goat petting or cheese sampling cost only $5 and can be purchased here.

We spoke to the festival organizers to find out more about the annual event.

How did the festival start eight years ago?

For eight years, Goat Festival has been part of CUESA’s wide variety of educational offerings at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, which also include seasonal celebrations, cooking demos, and youth programs. People of all ages are naturally curious about goats. This popular festival is a way to connect urban dwellers with local dairy farmers and producers, while they’re discovering the wonders of goats and meeting them up close.

What is your goal for this year’s festival?

We hope that people will learn something new about goats, taste some delicious locally made cheeses, and leave with a deeper appreciation of these animals and what it takes to raise them. We also hope people will be inspired to support our local producers and maybe even visit a farm!

What is new about the festival this year compared to last year?

We’ll be hosting a free animal welfare talk featuring local experts and producers to discuss humane animal care practices at the CUESA Classroom.

How many and what type of goats will be attending?

There will be eight baby goats from Toluma Farms and Tomales Farmstead Creamery, an Animal Welfare Approved farm and dairy in Marin County. They’ll be bringing Saanen, Nubian, Alpine, and La Mancha kids.

Who have been some of the festival’s biggest supporters throughout the years?

We’re always excited to partner with excellent farmers and cheese makers like Toluma Farms to make this festival happen.

Schedule of Events:

10am-1pm: Pet Goats from Toluma Farms

10:30am: Market to Table Demo

11am: Goat Cheese Tasting Plates

12pm: Animal Welfare Talk

8 am-2 pm: “Browse the Farmers Market” Scavenger Hunt with goat-inspired eats such as:
– Goat cheese at Achadinha Cheese Company, Bodega & Yerba Santa Goat Cheese, and Tomales Farmstead Creamery
– Tacos at 4505 Meats: Goat barbacoa with handmade blue corn tortillas
– Pastries at Batter Bakery: Meyer Lemon, Strawberry & Goat Cheese Scones; Kale, Goat Cheese & Cornmeal Muffins; Rhubarb Shortcake with Goat Cheese Cream; and Asparagus & Goat Cheese Tartlets
– Grilled cheese sandwiches at The Farmer’s Wife: Honey Lavender Bacon, Avocado, Farm Eggs, Chèvre, and Pepper Salsa; and Asparagus, Preserved Meyer Lemons, Farm Eggs, Chèvre & Fresh Arugula
– Sweet and savory crostatas (whole or by the slice) at Three Babes Bakeshop: Strawberry, Goat Cheese, and Honey; and Asparagus, Spring Onion, and Goat Cheese

Written by Carlos Olin Montalvo

Follow me @carlosolin

Comments

  1. If a goat goes missing, check my bedroom, blame me I’m Greek

  2. sfstation Unless there is cheese, it’s irrelevant.

  3. Michelle Miller April 1, 2016 at 10:14 am

    Lol omg!! That looks perfect

  4. Lol omg I need to go!

  5. Rachael Marino April 1, 2016 at 10:04 am

    Maria Vezza lol met you once but your love for goats was apparent haha Michelle Miller

  6. Emilie Surimi April 1, 2016 at 3:01 am

    Giovanna goat for me!

  7. And you, what are you doing Maddie Mae on April 16th? I’d let you be my +1

  8. Jocelyn Varela! We have to go! Let’s make it happen!!!!!!

  9. Keyla F Santizo Gonzalez March 31, 2016 at 8:40 pm

    Claudia Isabel Serna Nadine Bohórquez we should go omg

  10. Omg we’re going Adara Schneider

  11. Caleigh Toma the wrong weekend :(

  12. Kayla Rose Steele March 31, 2016 at 7:09 pm

    lol lets do it

  13. Lauren Wolters March 31, 2016 at 7:08 pm

    Indiaa U0001f499 we should go tho that would be so fun

  14. Kayla Rose Steele March 31, 2016 at 7:07 pm

    BABY GOATS!! Akira Cos india

  15. Kelly De La Rosa March 31, 2016 at 4:51 pm

    OMG I want to go

  16. Stephanie De La Rosa March 31, 2016 at 3:56 pm

    Kelly De La Rosa All you!

Comments are closed.