In a remote Irish town, a goat reigns supreme

Puck Queen Caitlin Horgan, 12, poses with the newly crowned King Puck goat which will be held on a platform above the town for three days in Killorglin, Ireland August 10, 2017. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

KILLORGLIN, Ireland (Reuters) - For a few days this week a goat will be king of a small town in Ireland's rural south west.

Billed as one of Ireland's oldest festivals, the Puck Fair sees locals in the town of Killorglin pluck a wild mountain goat from its habitat and crown him 'King Puck' for the duration of the event.

This year's king was paraded through the town on Thursday, where he was crowned by the Queen of Puck - an honor bestowed on a local schoolgirl. He appeared relaxed, if occasionally bemused, during his coronation.

People line the streets in front of a statue of King Puck see a wild goat paraded through the town before being crowned King Puck for three days in Killorglin, Ireland August 10, 2017. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

"I've seen it for the last 11 years so it's nothing new but when I first moved here from England I thought it was strange," festival-goer Ben Henry, 25, of Killarney told Reuters.

"I heard a fella today saying he's been coming to Puck for 57 years so that says a lot!" he added.

The festival will feature music, street performers and a horse fair.

The wild goat that was caught from a mountain in Kerry for Puck Fair is paraded through the town before being crowned King Puck for three days in Killorglin, Ireland August 10, 2017. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

The origins of the event are unclear, though there are many local theories from a harvest festival to tales of a lone goat fleeing Oliver Cromwell's troops into the village.

Organizers say historical references to the festival date back to the early 17th century.

As for King Puck, organizers say he is to be treated royally during his brief reign with a diet of ash tree branches, water and cabbage to sustain him until he returns to his mountain home following his dethronement ceremony.

The wild goat that was caught from a mountain in Kerry for Puck Fair is paraded through the town before being crowned King Puck for three days in Killorglin, Ireland August 10, 2017. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Organizers expect to welcome more than 100,000 visitors during the festival which runs until Aug. 12.

(Reporting by Clodagh Kilcoyne; writing by Mark Hanrahan in London; Editing by Janet Lawrence)

The newly crowned King Puck goat is hoisted to the top of a platform above the town where it will be held for the duration of Puck Fair which is three days in Killorglin, Ireland August 10, 2017. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

A crown is affixed to a wild goat as it is crowned King Puck and will be held on a platform above the town for three days in Killorglin, Ireland August 10, 2017. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Puck Queen Caitlin Horgan, 12, meets the wild goat that was caught for Puck Fair to be crowned King Puck for three days, in Killorglin, Ireland August 10, 2017. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

A man rides his horse bareback on the first day of Puck Fair which begins with a horse market and the crowning of a goat as King for three days in Killorglin, Ireland August 10, 2017. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Men chat on the first day of Puck Fair which begins with a horse market and the crowning of a goat as King for three days in Killorglin, Ireland August 10, 2017. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

A man minds his horses on the first day of Puck Fair which begins with a horse market and the crowning of a goat as King for three days in Killorglin, Ireland August 10, 2017. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Children drive a miniature pony and trap on the first day of Puck Fair which begins with a horse market and the crowning of a goat as King for three days in Killorglin, Ireland August 10, 2017. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

A woman waits on a street with her newly purchased pony on the first day of Puck Fair which begins with a horse market and the crowning of a goat as King for three days in Killorglin, Ireland August 10, 2017. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne