"Dairy on Parade"

50th Annual Dairy Festival Parade
Unfolds Saturday

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

 

Skies were blue and no sign of rain in the forecast, prevailed for Saturday's 50th Annual Hopkins County Dairy Festival Parade. "We were soaking we from last year's flood, at the end of the parade and this year, we're soaking wet from sweat!" exclaimed 2009 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, Hayley Reynolds. "The sun and the humidity had everyone sweating by the time they made the parade route! But, you can't control the weather and I think everyone enjoyed themselves!"

Saturday's 50th Annual Parade included over 200 entries and took approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to make its way through the streets of Sulphur Springs. "We had a representative of almost every facet of the dairy industry, in this year's parade," exclaimed Mike Blount, Parade Chairman. "From dairy farmers, milk cooperatives, feed dealers, and retailers of dairy products, to tractor and equipment dealers and other support industries, they were all represented in this historic event!"

 

Enjoy these photos of Saturday's parade:

 

49th Annual Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, Haley Reynolds, receives a hug from the
first Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, Sunell Rogers Comfort, before they mount floats
to ride in Saturday's historic event.

 

 

These Former Dairy Festival Queens all returned to Sulphur Springs for Saturday's
historic 50th Annual Dairy Festival Parade. No one had to teach them how to wave
to the crowd, as they had all done it before!

Kory Koon, son of Parade Marshals, Randy and Sheila Koon, waves as he drives his parents in the parade.

Sheila Koon and sons Kody, Kyle, and Koyt, waved to the crowd and threw candy!

 

Queen Haley Reynolds smiled for the crowd, atop the Queen's Float!

 

Dairy Farmers and their family walked the parade route and passed out dairy related items.

And, the Koon Jersey Farm cow train, painted like Jersey cows, naturally, was a hit with everyone,
as the kids enjoyed waving to the crowd!

 

Carolyn McKinney, with the Southwest Dairy Museum, walked the parade route and
made certain that everyone got a sample of fresh milk.

 

Former Queens were next, as they proudly waved to the crowd!

 

Contestant #1, Daylan Burns

 

 

 

Contestant #2, Callie Dennis

 

 

Contestant #3, Katelyn Cody

 

 

Contestant #4, Jamie Scroggins

 

 

 

Contestant #5, Elizabeth Sheffield

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contestant #6, Mia Taylor

 

 

Contestant #7, Brittany Woolley

 

Contestant #8, Daci West

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, the REAL Hopkins County Dairy Queen, Vera Harrington, takes
a wave to the crowd as she's headed for the Dairy Farmer's Luncheon!
She's been milking cows in Hopkins County for over 50 years!!!

 

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