Putnam Dairy Festival fun returns June 3

Published 3:44 pm Thursday, June 1, 2023

Got some milk? Maybe some ice cream?

If you have a craving, then downtown Eatonton is the place for you on June 3.

After a successful return in 2022 after a two-year hiatus, the Putnam County seat is gearing up for another day of celebration of a classic industry. The Putnam County Dairy Festival does just that as it has for going on six decades.

Thanks to the Pilot Club of Eatonton, this is a fun and festive way to kick off National Dairy Month. This recognizes milk, milk products and dairy farmers. Expect to see a live cow demonstrating the production of raw milk, and according to The Pilot Club this year there will be special recognition of youth involvement helping to insure the future of the dairy industry.

It’s still a major industry for Putnam County though the number of local dairy farmers has decreased over time. The county once housed more than 200 farms, but even though the numbers are lower the milk production is actually picking up thanks to technological advances.

“Local dairy farmers continue to work hard to provide safe and wholesome dairy foods. They are dedicated and take pride in caring for their cows,” said The Pilot Club’s Glenda Ridley.

As for the Dairy Festival of 2023, the first activity is a 5K road race and fun run at 7:30 a.m. through the historic district of downtown Eatonton. This was a new event introduced last year. There is no race day registration. At 9 a.m., everything else opens up with food and crafts vendors, children’s activities and games. Ridley said 98 vendors are signed up.

At 10 a.m., the Dairy Festival parade begins, and one hour later there’s a platform program in front of the courthouse with the introduction of the Dairy Festival Queen and court and featured speaker Tyler Harper, Georgia’s Commissioner of Agriculture.

“New this year will be a recognition of programs for youth in dairy with an award honoring the Georgia Dairy Youth Foundation,” said Ridley.

Entertainment commences from noon to 2:30 p.m. with Ray Saltamacchio’s Tang Soo Do Karate Putnam County Demo Team, the Putnam County Ensemble of Praise, Uncle Remus storyteller Georgia Smith and Putnam County High School vocalists and performers Ethan Poole, Nevaeh Marshall, Emma Jo Parham, Marielle Peguero, Hunter Cousino, Lori Myers, Abigail Hildreth, Cameron Lawson and Aidan Brock.