WIP · World in Pocket

Garbarge Goat

Spokane, Italy

Garbarge Goat

The Garbage Goat (or Garbage-Eating Goat) is a goat-shaped metal sculpture in Spokane, Washington, with an internal vacuum that allows the public to "feed" trash to it. The Garbage Goat was created in 1974 by Sister Paula Mary Turnbull, a local artist known as the "welding nun", and it debuted at Ex

po '74, a world's fair exhibition hosted in Spokane. The Garbage Goat was met with protests from dairy goat farmers, who objected to the sculpture for perpetuating stereotypes that goats supposedly eat anything. Located within Riverfront Park, the Garbage Goat has become an iconic part of Spokane culture and one of its most popular tourist attractions. The goat has inspired a cult following and a "secret goat culture" in the city, including multiple goat-themed businesses (Iron Goat Brewing, Flying Goat Pizza, etc.). The sculpture does not have a known official name, though Turnbull originally referred to it as "Billy".

Listen to the audio guide for Garbarge Goat Free on WIP — starts by itself when you arrive, even with the screen off

Nearby