Have a dairy good time at Harvard Milk Days
Harvard Milk Days claims to be the oldest running festival in the state of Illinois.
What began in 1942 as a gathering to honor area dairy farmers for their contributions to the war effort has morphed into a three-day event featuring bed races, Big Wheel races, a tractor pull, a sock hop and the Milk Days roast.
For families in McHenry County and surrounding areas, Milk Days is the first big festival of the season.
Although the main events occur this weekend, preliminary events and preparations have been going on since the queen coronation May 10 at the Moose Lodge.
The youth parade is set for 6 p.m. today, but the festival truly gets going Friday evening with carnival rides, food concessions, a hot air balloon launch, musical entertainment and a short fireworks display.
For a complete list of events, check out the Milk Days Web site at www.milkdays.com.
Harvard Milk Days
The annual Harvard Milk Days festival will be held Thursday-Sunday in and around Harvard and at Milky Way Park is off Route 173 and Lawrence Road.
THURSDAY
6 p.m. Youth Parade, Ayer Street, downtown Harvard
FRIDAY
10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Antique Tractor Show in Milky Way Park
5 p.m. Milk Days Grounds open, Milky Way Park Route 14 East; carnival, concessions, petting zoo, market place/food court, chain-saw carving, hot-air balloon launch (weather permitting)
6 p.m. Charissa & The Auburn Sky Band
8:30 p.m. Denny Diamond & the Family Jewels
10:45 p.m. Short fireworks display, visible from Milk Days grounds
SATURDAY
6:45 a.m. Milk Run registration, Jefferson School, intersection of Jefferson and Harrison streets, one block east of Route 14 North.
8 a.m. 2-mile Milk Run/Walk and 10K Run
9 to 11 a.m. Antique Tractor Show
9:30 a.m. Milk Days Brunch, Stratford Banquet Hall, 21700 McGuire Road. Guest speaker is Orion Samuelson. Reservations required. $16.50.
1 p.m. 64th annual Milk Days Parade, the Milky Way, Ayer Street, downtown
2 p.m. Milk Days Festival grounds open with carnival, concessions, petting zoo, market place/food court, chain-saw carving, hot-air balloon launch (weather permitting)
3 p.m. Antique Tractor Show
4 p.m. Milk Drinking Contest, different age groups. Sign-up is at 3 p.m. in the Entertainment Tent.
5 p.m. Cow Chip Lotto, Milk Days Festival grounds
5:30 p.m. Battle of the Bands
10:45 p.m. Short fireworks display visible from Milk Days grounds
SUNDAY
10 a.m. Community church service in the Entertainment Tent
Noon Milk Days Festival grounds open with carnival, concessions, petting zoo, market place/food court, chain-saw carving, hot-air balloon launch (weather permitting)
Noon Dairy Cattle Show at Pavilion
Noon to 3 p.m. Antique Tractor Show
1:30 p.m. Borderline Barbershop Quartet from Walworth, Entertainment Tent
3 p.m. Walworth County Cloggers, Entertainment Tent
7 p.m. Cow Chip Lotto, Milk Days Festival grounds
7:30 p.m. New Odyssey
10 p.m. Fireworks display, grand finale