Move over flamingos! The Porch Goose is reclaiming its status as the top avian when it comes to the pecking order of favorite accessories for the porch or lawn.
Wouldn’t you know it! Last fall I was on a crusade to empty my garage of unwanted items. I looked at a goose I had for ages and decided that since it hadn’t seen the light of day in years, it would join the trash heap. A few weeks later, I’m reading the home section of The Washington Post (WaPo) and what do I spy but an article announcing that the goose is back and is more popular than ever! What!!!
From Lucy Goosey in Charlotte, NC, a perfect summer frock.
I needed more evidence and hit the Internet. Sure enough, the goose, which is technically referred to as a Porch Goose, Lawn Goose or Garden Goose, is back in vogue. They are popping up at garden centers, statuary shops and online through websites such as Amazon, where one model sells upwards of 500 a month. On the resell market, vintage blow-mold varieties are in hot demand. I also learned the goose hobby is a younger-generation thing, meaning that boomers, who, despite loving stuff, have somehow remained in the dark about the trend.
Once you have your goose, you apparently need to provide it with a wardrobe worthy of Vogue. Yes, you read that correctly. Goose couture is all the rage. According to the WaPo article, which was written by Kate Morgan, who happens to be from Richland, Lebanon County, transforming a run-of-the-mill goose into a fashionista has prompted owners to learn to design and sew their own creations. They can also consult the website, Storychanges.com for a tutorial on creating clothing for geese. For the sewing challenged, there’s always “off the rack” stuff from Etsy and eBay, as well as a company called Gaggleville, which is a subsidiary of Miles Kimball in Wisconsin. The best-dressed geese are sporting team apparel, Halloween costumes, holiday (all of them) attire, raincoats, ballgowns and the list goes on. Accessories ranging from false eyelashes to rainboots are also mandatory.
From Miles Kimball, a Herman Munster-inspired Halloween costume.
Of course, this being the 21st century, goose fanciers are bonding via social media. According to Morgan’s story, three years ago, Ohioan Erica Gross purchased her first home, prompting her to remember the goose that stood watch on her grandmother’s porch. She was determined to add one to her own porch. An aunt found one at a garage sale and Gross set out to clothe it, thus establishing an online connection with other goose-loving enthusiasts. Gross went on to establish the Porch Goose Club of America in 2022. Today, its Facebook followers number 240,000+. Goose lovers also populate Pinterest, as well as eBay, Etsy, Amazon and Gaggleville, among hundreds (probably thousands) of other sources.
From Glamour Goose, patterns to create a down-home look for your goose.
So, what’s the story about geese as garden art (or fashion statements)? The trend of including a goose on your porch or lawn began in the Midwest in the 1950s and reached its peak in the ’70s and ’80s, during which the cute critters perfectly lent themselves to the country look that ruled home décor. By the ’90s, when styles evolved and contemporary décor made an appearance, the goose was let loose.
North Carolina-based The Goose and the Gander travels to arts & crafts festivals and makers markets throughout the southeast and beyond.
According to Morgan, before geese became home and garden accessories, they played a pivotal role in ancient history and thus a legend was born. In 387 B.C., the Gauls devised a plan to surprise the Roman army with a middle-of-the-night raid. Their ploy was thwarted by geese who “sounded” the warning call and roused the Romans from their sleep. It also became customary for farmers the world over to maintain flocks of geese as “watchbirds,” as they could not only raise a ruckus but could also defend their charges (like chickens and newborn animals) from predators. Because of their vigilance and tenacity, geese were looked upon as being loyal and protective. Did those qualities inspire the appearance of the Porch Goose? Could be.
From Amazon, a raincoat and gear to protect your Garden Goose from April showers.
As for the clothing aspect, Morgan learned that goose-lovers find it to be a fun hobby. It’s sort of like having a dog to dress, but you don’t have to feed it, walk it or take it to the vet. Some told her that the hobby provides an escape from the stresses of the world. Still others reported that it provides them with a creative outlet. So, if you happen to have a goose lurking in your garage, make sure it’s “decent” before you put it on your porch or in your garden. I also dare you to google “goose” and see what pops up.
From Yonder Goose, an Amish-inspired Porch Goose.
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