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Pax the Goat, the first pet mayor of Edgwater, meets his supporters after his inauguration on August 4, 2019. Credit: Pat Nabong/Block Club Chicago
EDGEWATER — The votes are in and the results are official — Edgewater’s newest leader is a goat named Pax.
Despite facing stiff competition, Pax the goat was elected the first Pet Mayor of Edgewater Sunday as part of the neighborhood’s annual Edgefest.
Pax beat out four dogs — Ballew, Bug, Wrigley and Winston — — and lone cat Titus who vied for the title.
As the pets campaigned across the neighborhood, Pax was in fourth place at one point, but was able to pull out a victory.
After his election, the goat then led a pet parade through the streets and basked in his new title. The goat is owned by Daniel Zagotta, Larry Nieman and their 10-year-old son Ethan Zagotta.
The contest, presented by the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce, was meant to highlight the pet friendliness of the neighborhood. Each vote cost $1 and the proceeds go to Care for Real — an Edgewater based charity organization that provides clothes, food and counseling services to those in need.
The unique fundraiser raised nearly $20,000, officials said.
Check out more photos from the celebration below:
Daniel Zagotta, who owns Pax the Goat, introduces Edgewater’s new pet mayor Sunday. Credit: Pat Nabong/ Block Club ChicagoBug, who is Edgewater’s commissioner of pawty animals, sits onstage while other mayoral candidates are introduced on Sunday. Credit: Pat Nabong/Block Club ChicagoBallew’s owner wears campaign merchandise onstage at the inauguration of pet mayor of Edgewater on Sunday. Credit: Pat Nabong/Block Club ChicagoWrigley, WInston and Bug wait onstage for the results of the election in Edgewater on Sunday. Credit: Pat Nabong/Block Club ChicagoPumpkin rests in a bag during Edgefest on Sunday. Credit: Pat Nabong/Block Club ChicagoBallew was appointed as Edgwater’s commissioner of pups and recreation on Sunday. Credit: Pat Nabong/Block Club ChicagoAmber Troyer and Wednesday at Edgefest on Sunday. Credit: Pat Nabong/Block Club ChicagoFrog’s owner carries him before the pet parade in Edgewater on Sunday. Credit: Pat Nabong/Block Club ChicagoFrank Devin and Cherry Devin dressed up thier pets Carmela and Sofia for the pet parade in Edgewater on Sunday. Credit: Pat Nabong/Block Club ChicagoCarmela is dressed in an outfit that features police paraphernalia. Credit: Pat Nabong/Block Club ChicagoTitus, the commissioner of transpurrtation, watches people as they participate in the pet parade on Sunday. Credit: Pat Nabong/Block Club ChicagoLarry Nieman, left, and Daniel Zagotta, center, wave to their neighbors during the pet parade in Edgewater on Sunday. Credit: Pat Nabong/Block Club ChicagoPax the Goat, the new pet mayor of Edgewater, kicks off his term by leading a pet parade around the Edgewater neighborhood on Sunday. Credit: Pat Nabong/Block Club ChicagoEdgewater residents watched as pets paraded around the neighborhood on Sunday. Credit: Pat Nabong/Block Club ChicagoMany Edgefest attendees brought their pets along to the festival on Sunday. Credit: Pat Nabong/Block Club ChicagoMany dogs attended Edgefest, which featured a pet parade and the inauguration of the new pet mayor of Edgewater on Sunday. Credit: Pat Nabong/Block Club ChicagoLuso basks in the sun during Edgefest in Edgewater on Sunday. Credit: Pat Nabong/Block Club Chicago
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