
"Think Moo-au!"
It's Time For Planning 2012
Hopkins County Dairy Festival
From Patricia Chase
Hopkins County Dairy Festival Board
We doubt that cows can fly, but time surely does; and June will be here soon!
The Board of Directors of the Hopkins County Dairy Festival began working on this year’s 53rd Festival this past August. By the way, if you are new to the area, we are proud to say that we are the longest continuous “dairy festival” in the Southwest, if not the country! We have added new activities, such as the Appreciation Reception for Hopkins County Dairy Farmers, held at the 2011 June 10th Friday Balloon Rally. It was very successful with many Hopkins County dairy farmers being honored and treated to an array of dairy products, gifts, and a chance to win a ride in one of the hot air balloons! We hope to increase that number this year, and extend an open invitation to all dairy farmers in the county.
The Festival theme 2012 is: “Cow-a-Bunga – Welcome to the MOO-au!”
so, all parade entrants– be thinking: surf boards, grass skirts, leis, coconuts, and palm trees. Wow, how great will this year’s parade be! (Parade Coordinator is David Watson: 903.439.5020). So mark your calendars for June 9 for the Parade and other first weekend events, including the world famous TX State Champion Homemade Ice Cream Freeze-Off (sponsored by The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce: 903.885.6515); and the contestants’ and their parents’ milking contest (with real cows!) Look to the skies to see the colorful hot air balloons Friday and Saturday evenings; and Saturday and Sunday mornings, which will be on exhibit and take off from the grounds of Shannon Oaks Church. The second weekend (June 15 & 16) continues the fun with the carnival, 5K milk run, the NETLA Jr. Dairy Show, and the Dairy Foods Contest. Complete information on events and for contact information will be available as we move forward to June.

Our sponsorship letters are being delivered to our community and corporate leaders who so generously support Dairy Festival; and, with whom we could not have such successful festivals year after year! A new feature this year to the sponsors is a colorful and informative brochure, created by The Phoenix Group. Our supporters and donors are recognized in our advertisements and in the printed program at the Coronation Pageant.
All Dairy Festival events are free and open to the public – except the fabulous Coronation Pageant on June 16 at the Civic Center at 7:00 pm. Any young ladies who wish to be a candidate must be a junior in a Hopkins County school, with a “B” grade average; and complete an application packet. Being a contestant is an experience of a lifetime, never to be forgotten! It is also tons of fun, with the community and the Board being very supportive; and contestants are fully rehearsed in every aspect of the competition, including talent development, interview skills, and onstage presence.
If you are interested in being a candidate for the 53rd Annual Dairy Festival (held June 8 – June 16, 2012) please contact Board members Gena Prickette (903.243.4534) and/or Cindy Lancaster (903.438.1620).

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