Dressed in everything from patriotic attire and holiday costumes to raincoats and winter scarves, a growing number of porch geese are becoming local celebrities throughout Minot Air Force Base housing areas.
The vintage lawn ornaments, once a staple outside many American homes, are enjoying a revival among military families who have embraced the quirky tradition of dressing the geese for seasons, holidays and special occasions. Many owners have even given their feathered friends names and personalities, turning them into beloved members of the neighborhood. More than just decorations, residents say the geese have become unexpected conversation starters, helping neighbors connect and bringing moments of happiness to everyday life.
“It’s a great conversation starter,” said Shannon Costilla, who recently received her own porch goose as a gift from her husband. “I love how it can give some connection and allow some positive conversations to days that sometimes feel mundane.”
Shannon had noticed porch geese appearing throughout base housing and quickly understood their appeal. Along with seasonal outfits, the goose adds a touch of whimsy to her family’s home and often sparks interactions with neighbors passing by.
For many owners, however, the trend is rooted in nostalgia. Joni Favreau’s goose, named “Gerty,” carries decades of family memories. As a child, Joni helped her grandmother dress a porch goose for every season and holiday. The tradition left a lasting impression. “Whether it was a tiny raincoat in the spring, patriotic attire in the summer, or a fluffy scarf in the winter, that goose brought so much joy and personality to her home,” Joni recalled.
Years later, during a difficult period in her pregnancy, her husband remembered those stories and surprised her with a porch goose of her own. “That’s how Gerty officially joined our family,” Joni said.
Today, changing Gerty’s outfits has become a meaningful tradition that reminds Joni of her grandmother while creating new memories for the next generation. “Every time I change her outfit, I think of my grandma,” she said. “Now I get to create those same memories for my own family.”
For Kimberly Quezada, the journey into goose ownership began while thrifting and antiquing. After discovering online communities dedicated to dressing porch geese for different occasions, she knew she wanted one of her own. Her husband eventually gifted her a goose for her 28th birthday, fittingly, during a goose-themed celebration. “I think it’s a great way to stay whimsical and bring some personality to our porch throughout the year,” Kimberly said.
That whimsical spirit appears to be part of the trend’s widespread appeal. Across social media, porch goose enthusiasts regularly share outfit ideas, seasonal accessories and photos of their creatively dressed birds. At Minot AFB, those ideas have translated into front-porch displays that often draw smiles from neighbors and visitors alike.
Rylee Whistler said she had admired porch geese since childhood. “There was a lady in my small town growing up who had one and dressed it for a bunch of different occasions,” Rylee said. “I always loved that and wished I had one.” She received her own goose as a Christmas gift in December. “Bit of a grandma hobby,” she joked, “but I love it.”
The tradition’s appeal extends beyond Minot as well. Amy Williams, whose daughter Senior Airman Samantha Williams is stationed at Minot AFB, recently shared the story of her goose, “Gustar,” from her home in Snow Hill, Maryland. Amy remembers her mother proudly displaying a cement porch goose in the 90s, complete with seasonal outfits. After her death in 2000, the memory stayed with her. When she noticed porch geese making a comeback in recent years, she began searching for one similar to her mother’s. She eventually found a traditional cement goose at a farmers market in Delaware.
“I named mine Gustar,” Amy said. “He proudly welcomes people to our house and brings fond memories of Mom and my aunt and uncle.”
As the trend continues to spread through Minot AFB neighborhoods, residents say the appeal lies in its simplicity. In a community where families often relocate, deploy and adapt to constant change, a dressed-up porch goose offers a small but meaningful source of joy.
For some, the geese are reminders of childhood memories and family traditions. For others, they are a creative outlet or simply a way to add personality to a front porch. Whatever the reason, the growing flock of geese throughout Minot AFB has become more than a decorating trend. They are bringing neighbors together.
Behind every goose is a story, a memory of a grandmother’s porch, a thoughtful gift from a spouse, a treasured family tradition or a simple desire to make someone smile. And as more geese appear throughout the base dressed for each new season and holiday, they serve as a reminder that community is often built through the smallest gestures.
