It is a wonderful time of year again, the 73rd annual Milk Days Weekend! Some exciting festival events June 6th-June 8th include: the antique tractor display, a milk run/walk, brunch (with Orion Samuelson emceeing!), the carnival, a petting zoo, and fireworks. The big parade (2+ hours long) on Saturday, June 7th at 1:00 p.m. is one of the biggest traditions you won't want to miss. There is guaranteed fun for the entire family, so be sure to stop out! For more information on their schedule of events, visit www.milkdays.com. We would like to share some history on the development of the Milk Days you know today.
It all started in the spring of 1942 when people gathered to honor the area farmers for their "War Effort" of increasing milk and food production for the servicemen. Seven dairy companies were located within a 15-mile radius of Harvard and more milk was being produced there than anywhere in the United States. Harvard became the self-proclaimed "Milk Center of the World!"
Milk Days grew through the forties and fifties, mirroring a decade of good times and growth within Harvard and the country as a whole. The ninth annual festival in 1950 marked the first open cattle show; 165 cattle were entered that year. The Milk Maid Style Show began in 1953, the Dairy Derby Weight Loss contest in 1954. A record 75,000 people attended Milk Day in 1956, celebrating Harvard's Centennial.
By the 60's Harvard continued to claim its title to "Milk Center of the World", as it saluted more than 160 dairy farmers within Harvard School District during the 1966 Silver anniversary. The dairy princess contest was held for the first time in 1960. Farm tours of area dairy operations became a Milk Day tradition in 1967.
1970 introduced Harvard's famous fiberglass cow, Harmilda. The first annual Milk Days Horse Show was held in 1974. The Milk Run, which featured a 2 and 7 mile run was introduced in 1978. The 80's marked the addition of some of Milk Days favorite events: bed races, big wheel races, the tractor pull, sock hop and the Milk Days roast. Milk Days continued into the 90's and now into the 2000's, stronger than ever. Milk products, dairy industry's contributions and Milk Days traditions continue to draw in huge crowds on the first weekend in June to celebrate the history of and appreciation for national dairy month and the farmers who have made it all possible.
