The largest gathering of Tasmania’s complete goat industry, the event showcased the best the breed has to offer with more than 1300 people estimated to have attended. 

About 100 goats took over the pavilion at Launceston Showground, with people young and old getting up close and personal to Tasmania’s four major breeds including angora, dairy, miniature and boer. 

Event organiser Carl Roberts from Ellendale’s Willow Creek Goat Farm said it was wonderful to see so many people making the most of the event. 

“There were more smiles than you could poke a stick at,” he said. 

“This event is really unique in that it brings everyone in the state’s goat industry together under one roof for a day and that is a fantastic thing.

“We think the attendance was up about 25 per cent from last year.

“Tasmanian Food Company’s Robur Farm completely sold out of everything – no one thought that would happen.” 

Goatfest kicked off with the breed and artisan judging, with husbandry demonstrations held throughout the day. 

This year’s event also featured the angora goat and mohair fleece championships, with top honours going to Ranga Wagga Angora Stud. 

The fleece was judged on everything from fineness, length and character, with members of the Handweavers, Spinners and Dyers Guild of Tasmania on site to show off some finished fleece products. 

Mr Roberts said Goatfest would definitely return to Launceston bigger and better in 2019.