Minnesota's dairy industry to receive two proclamations from Governor Mark Dayton for Princess Kay of the Milky Way Day and All-You-Can-Drink Milk Stand Day
The All-You-Can-Drink Milk Stand, owned by Minnesota's dairy farm families, celebrates its 60th year at the Minnesota State Fair, as the industry crowns a new Princess Kay of the Milky Way and encourages fair-goers to participate in the Great American Milk Drive to help provide fresh milk to local food shelves.
60 Years and Still Pouring: On the first Saturday of the fair, Governor Mark Dayton will join local farmers in a milk toast and proclaim August 23, 2014, All-You-Can-Drink Milk Stand Day. The All- You-Can-Drink Milk Stand began its run in 1955 from a tent on Machinery Hill, charging a dime for a bottomless cup of white milk. It later moved to its current location on the corner of Judson and Clough, and following a rebuild of the stand in 2004, chocolate milk was added to the menu.In 2012, fair-goers voted the All-You-Can-Drink
Milk Stand the Best Food or Beverage Value at the fair in the inaugural People's Choice Awards (Food/Drink category). A 12-oz. cup to refill with fresh, cold, 2 percent white or low-fat chocolate milk is still just a dollar.
Minnesota's Icon, Princess Kay: The 12 Princess Kay of the Milky Way candidates have been preparing for judging and coronation on the eve of the Minnesota State Fair since they were selected in May. Since the Princess Kay contest began in 1954, the coronation has brought together State Fair and dairy enthusiasts to celebrate dairy's important contribution to Minnesota. The event kicks off the Fair at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 20, at the State Fair Band Shell (1302 Cooper Street) with Governor Dayton in attendance to share a proclamation declaring the day Princess Kay of the Milky Way Day.
Princess Kay of the Milky Way and each of the Princess Kay finalists are sculpted in butter, one each day beginning with Princess Kay, daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Dairy Building (1694 Judson Avenue), speaking to the crowd as they sit for artist Linda Christensen inside the rotating sculpting booth. They also appear in Midwest Dairy's booth across from the butter sculptures, visiting with fair-goers about dairy farmers' commitment to health, animal care and the environment.
Princess Kay and the finalists will also provide family activities and games at the following times and locations:
Monday, August 26, Wednesday, Aug. 27, and Thursday, August 28, at 3 p.m. on the Moo Booth stage near the showcase herd inside Cattle Barn (Judson and Liggett);
Periodically between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Christensen Farm Stage near the FFA Miracle of Birth Center (Judson and Clough) on Friday, August 29; and
At 3 p.m. on both Saturdays and Sundays of the Fair at the Christensen Farm Stage.
Fair-goers can follow the Princess Kay coronation live and see updates from the Fair on Twitter, @MidwestDairy and with the hashtag #MNPrincessKay, as well as on Princess Kay's Facebook page.
The Great American Milk Drive: Midwest Dairy Association, in partnership with Feeding America and America's milk processors, have launched the Great American Milk Drive to get nutritious, fresh milk to families in need. Food bank families only receive the equivalent of one gallon of milk a year, yet fresh milk is one of the most requested foods at food banks across the country.
People can text the word "milk" to 27722 or go online to MilkLife.com/Give to donate $5 that becomes a coupon for local food shelves to provide to their clients. Cards with information about how to get involved with the campaign will be provided at the Milk Stand, the Dairy Goodness Bar and Midwest Dairy's booth near the butter sculpting in the Dairy Building.
30th Annual Milk Run: There'll be some special participants behind the starting line when the 30th annual State Fair Milk Run 5K kicks off this year. About 20 members of Team Dairy, a running group for dairy enthusiasts, will participate in the annual race on Sunday morning, August 24 (7:45 a.m.; on West Dan Patch south of the West End Market). Midwest Dairy Association is sponsoring the event again this year, with Kemps providing the free chocolate milk to runners as they cross the finish line. Princess Kay of the Milky Way will give the signal for the race to begin.
And Oh, the Dairy Goodness Bar!: As always, the Dairy Goodness Bar (Dairy Building, corner of Judson and Underwood) will serve up its famous malts, sundaes and cones, as well as milk, yogurt, Greek yogurt, cheese sticks and fresh cheese curds. New this year strawberry Go-Gurt will be served for just $1.
On Thrifty Thursday (Opening Day, Aug. 21), 8-oz. chocolate milks are two for $1. On Senior Days (Monday, Aug. 25, and Thursday, Aug. 28), ice cream cones are $2.50 each. On Kids Days (Monday, Aug. 25, and Monday, Labor Day, Sept. 1), all yogurt is two for $1. And on Military Appreciation Day (Tuesday, Aug. 26), $1 off sundaes.
For more information, visit www.midwestdairy.com.
8.15.2014