Goats and Rabbits Everywhere

By Morgan J. Smith
 English 336-001


Six years and counting, Frostburg State University has entertained their wonderful students and community with the joyous Appalachian Festival. Located in the upper quad, the Appalachian Festival, is a family event that welcomes the entire community and campus to come out and have a little fun. During the festival, there are games, lectures, performances by great musicians, and more. Six years and counting, Frostburg State University has entertained their wonderful students and community with the joyous Appalachian Festival. Located in the upper quad, the Appalachian Festival, is a family event that welcomes the entire community and campus to come out and have a little fun. During the festival, there are games, lectures, performances by great musicians, and more. This a great way to relieve some stress, and become educated on things our elders grew up on. With so many festivities going on, the Appalachian Festival was a must. Even more exciting, something that caught my eye immediately, was the Capering Kids Goat Club.


The Capering Kids Goat Club, is a 4H club that is located in Allegheny County. Other clubs that are also active in the surrounding community are The Baltimore Pike club, and the La Vale club. This Capering Kids Goat Club travels around, showing their precious, loving goats and rabbits to the community. These goats are far from your average cat or dog. They pranced around Frostburg’s campus, as if they knew they had an audience to entertain. Even more exciting, the community was allowed to actually pet the goats, and nurture the rabbits. The goats were sectioned off slightly, so they were not able to just roam freely. They ranged from black and white to brown and beige, and have become very popular. Even more interesting, I got to meet someone the animals were very familiar with, Barbara Watson.

Goat expert Watson was extremely thrilled to have such a huge outcome for her particular event. Watson has been working with the Capering Kids Goat Club for 6 years. Each year, the goats also make an appearance at the Hickson Farm Festival, during the first Sunday in October. These goats have become quite the popular catch. When asked why she became a part of this association, she states, “I enjoy the excitement I see on children’s faces, who have never seen farm animals before.” Furthermore, parents and children gathered around to see the goats, and become more acquainted. Sherry Smith, who is a Frostburg local bought her family out to enjoy the festival. She explained, “My daughter was very nervous about the goats, but once we went to the gate, the smile on her face was priceless.” Young children who may have feared these animals before, may now know that they are harmless after meeting them.



This is Frostburg student, Whitney Turner’s second year of attending the Appalachian Festival. She stated, “The festival was a lot better last year, but still fun.” Everyone has their own opinion of the festival, but I must say that I enjoyed it myself. The staff and volunteers for the festival, put in a lot of work, and worked very hard. Other events that were also located at the festival were performers, plants were sold, Amish food, and masking making. The Appalachian Festival has a wide variety of sites, that allows different cultures to enjoy different things. Next year if you ever find time in your busy schedule, you should get to festival and check it out. Turn your boring day, into a fun filled event for the entire family.