Oreo named grand marshal of Mainx24 parade

Oreo the goat may have been spurned by East Ridge, but he will make his triumphal entry into Chattanooga as Grand Marshal of a Main Street parade this December.

Oreo - a pet pygmy goat-turned-folk-hero - was effectively evicted from East Ridge Nov. 8 after a months-long community effort to let him stay at his home inside city limits.

Oreo's owners, the Viar family, have said they will move so they can keep their pet goat.

The vote to make Oreo the Grand Marshal of the MAINx24 parade was unanimous, according to MAINx24 officials.

The invitation was extended to Oreo "as a token of love and support for this animal and the Viar family for having to inure the stress and frustration during the last 2 months," said Ken Hays, festival co-chairman, in a news release.

Oreo has accepted the invitation and will headline the parade, which will start at 11 a.m. on Dec. 1 at Jefferson and Main Streets and travel west on Main Street to Cowart Street.

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