Thonotosassa farm tries to bleat record for largest goat yoga class

More than 500 people and 110 goats are expected at the Grady Goat Farm in eastern Hillsborough County on Saturday to set a Guinness world record for the largest-ever goat yoga session.

This goat-together won’t just beat the previous winner, organizers said.

“We are going to smash the record,” said Debbie Canton, 56, who has spent almost a year organizing the day from the farm she and her husband, Rob, run as a rescue and charity in Thonotosassa.

Goats and yoga have been a hot trend in the fitness and therapeutic worlds in the last few years. People find it impossible to stay stressed while an upward goat offers a snuggle during a downward dog. Canton’s goat farm started offering goat yoga classes in 2017. Every weekend class sells out in advance, with the proceeds going to a charity for children facing adversity.

The current record for the world’s largest goat yoga class was set in February in Arizona, when 351 people and 84 goats came together to seek nirvana. But the Grady Goat Foundation, the charity for children the Cantons started, decided to take the record by the horns and make it a fundraiser for the foundation’s new Global Offensive Against Trafficking. Project G.O.A.T. focuses on the fight against human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children.

The goat yoga world record event is sold out. But you can get on a waiting list here.

The event was originally planned at the Keel and Curley winery in nearby Plant City, but it soon outgrew the space. It moved to the goat farm where parking will be available on 20 acres across the road. The new space is the size of a soccer field. The bending and bleating to commence promptly 10 a.m.

Fifty volunteers will aid in the effort, which will follow Guinness rules of one goat for every five people doing 30 minutes of yoga. There will be timers and a videographer to record the event and submit it for certification. After all the costs, Canton still expects to clear at least $100,000 for her charity.

After yoga, the festival-style event will include artisans and food vendors, live music, crafts, ponies, baby goats and games. No pets are allowed.