Goat Roast!

Gävle had a problem. In 1966, the Swedish town center wasn’t attracting many tourists. Naturally, the solution was to build a gigantic straw Yule Goat. At 13m high, 7m long, and 3 tons, it became an epic draw for the region. The dividends for Gävle have been astounding, just not in the way they expected.

When the clock struck midnight on January 1st, 1967, the new year came in with a bang: the goat exploded in flames. The arsonist was apprehended and charged with vandalism. The first Gävle goat had perished, but surely it was a mere fluke. Better luck next year. The goat survived the 1967 and 1968 holidays, but disaster struck in a 1969 inferno, again, lit by vandals. This ushered in four decades of carnage in which 50% of the goats were destroyed, be it by fireworks, flames, or cars.

It isn’t easy being a goat in Gävle. As the troubles have continued, the goat has received protection worthy of a king: fences, fireproofing, military escorts, and webcams. Tourism has increased as people from around the world head to Sweden to have a crack at burning the goat to the ground, or just watch to it happen. Of course, first degree straw goatslaughter is a crime, but no one can deny that it has spurred holiday crowds in the town center, realizing the 1966 goal. Over the years, only four assailants have been caught. Let’s Go does not recommend burning straw goats.