DairyFest brings 'mooo-ee' good time to Stephenville

By JULIET BRISKIN | Staff writer

Lisa Beimer, right, barely beat her daughter, Amber Decatur, in the milk drinking contest at DairyFest 2004 held in Stephenville, June 19. -- Photo by Juliet Briskin

July 1 ,2004 -- Each year, on the third Saturday in June, thousands converge on Stephenville to celebrate the dairy industry and participate in one of the areas largest festivals. DairyFest, hosted by the Tri-County Agribusiness Association (TCAA), provides visitors with a variety of dairy-based foods, entertainment, educational programs, and games.

"DairyFest is a family fun event and is a celebration of this part of Texas' largest economic influence," explained July Danley, executive director for the TCAA. "Dairy is of course the largest industry in this area and we host this event to bring the community together to enjoy dairy-related activities."

The Mobile Dairy classroom from the Southwest Dairy Museum was on site for DairyFest 2004 providing milking demonstrations. Above, festival attendees learn about how modern-day dairies extract milk from a cow. -- Photo by Juliet Briskin

Despite the heat, DairyFest 2004 saw close to 6,000 visitors of all ages. Entry into the event was free and for just $1 participants could purchase an arm band that allowed them access to all the dairy-based foods their stomach could hold.

"We've got cheeseburgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, ice cream, yogurt smoothies and fresh-baked butter cookies," said Danley. "Thanks to our local dairymen and women all the inflatable games for the kids are free and over 40 local businesses have booths featuring things like face painting and a milk drinking contest."

In addition to the games, a mobile dairy classroom from the Southwest Dairy Museum was on site providing milking demonstrations, hay rides ran non-stop, a horse drawn carriage gave participants rides throughout the festival and Sunni Cranfill, Miss Texas 2003, was on hand to sign autographs.

"I absolutely love coming to events like this," stated Cranfill. "I was born and raised on a dairy farm so this feels just like home."