Milk a cow for $2 as part of 4-H fundraiser

Visitors to the McHenry County Fair can experience milking a cow as part of a 4-H club's fundraiser this weekend.

At selective times throughout the five-day festival, members of the Huntley Heartlanders 4-H Club will give attendees the chance to milk a cow for a $2 fee.

"It's a good educational experience for the kids of McHenry County," 4-H leader Crystal Sheehan said.

The booth will be open 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday to Friday; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

While waiting in line, kids can read all about cows so they can learn more about the animal before they interact with it, Sheehan said.

"We like for them to learn as many things as they can," she said.

Along with milking the cow, the $2 fee gives them a free coupon for a carton of milk that can be collected at the fair, a sticker and a wristband, Sheehan said. They can also take photos with the cow.

A portion of money made from the Milk a Cow booth goes toward the 4-H club and assists them in various projects and activities throughout the year.

Some of the money also goes back to the fair, said Susan Simons, fair board secretary.

"With whatever funds they raise, they do something to the fairgrounds to improve it," she said.

Sheehan said this past year, the 4-H club used the money from the Milk a Cow event to paint the dairy barn.

Sheehan said 4-H is bringing six cows to the fair, but only one will be milked at a time. Cows can often get tired easily, Sheehan said, so bringing six cows ensures all the participants who want to milk a cow will get their chance.

This is the fourth year the Milk a Cow event will be at the fair. It has grown every year, Sheehan said, and last year, the club had 1,200 participants.

For more information, visit McHenryCountyFair.com.