Dichele Wiser, shows her "winning form" in milking a cow to win Saturday's
Milking Contest, as the annual tribute to dairy farm families continues with
Dairy Festival 2006.
Wiser Top Milker
At Annual Milking Contest
by: Bobby McDonald
In one of the most humorous and challenging contests for dairy festival candidates, the Milking Contest, which was begun some twenty-five years ago, with the candidates pitting their "skills" against a dairy cow to produce the most milk, unfolded in the Hopkins County Civic Center at 3:00 p.m., Saturday. Queen Alina Tatum demonstrated that "winning form" that carried her to winning last year's milking contest, and managed to put a few "squirts" in the bucket!
In a friendly spirit, the 2006 Dairy Festival Queen Candidates joined Queen Alina Tatum, as they
considered the "art" of milking a cow!
And, Alina "showed 'em how it was done," before this year's contest was begun!
Each candidate drew a number for a cow and then was given the opportunity to get acquainted by "talking sweet" to her and encouraging her to fill-up the bucket. There were some mighty unusual "pep talks" that were given, before the contest began.
Queen Contestant Kayla Morgan encourages "Bessie" to help her out in the contest!
And, she managed to get 1 pound 10 ounces of milk.
Whitney McDaniel, Queen Contestant, gets ready for her turn at milking a cow!
She got 1 pound 4 ounces!
Katie Hettick, Queen Contestant, flashed a pretty smile as she attempted to get
acquainted with her cow! Katie got 1 pound 8 ounces.
"Is this really where you get milk?" asks Queen Contestant Katie Watson, as she
gets ready to milk her cow in Saturday's contest. Katie received 1 pound 14 ounces
Dichele Wiser, Queen Contestant, must be saying something important to her
cow, as she was eventually proclaimed the winner in Saturday's contest. She won the
contest with a "Whopping" 2 pounds 14 ounces!
Milking Contest Judges, Jerry Don and Peggy Gibby, measure the milk following
the contest and make certain that just the right winner was proclaimed.
And, Larry Spradlin, Master of Ceremonies, visits with the girls, as the results are
being tabulated.
Contestant #5, Dichele Wiser managed to get the most milk in her bucket and win Saturday's fun contest. Second place award went to Kayla Morgan, and Katie Watson, despite her bucket being turned over, managed third in the contest.
Following the Queen Contestant's contest, the parents of the candidates were pitted against each other in the Parent's Milking Contest. This contest was "born" about 20 years ago, as it seemed that the parents were always standing on the sidelines and giving their daughter's so much good advice. Wouldn't it only be fair that they got to show their talents in the contest?
This year's winning parents were David and Donita Morgan, parents of queen candidate, Kayla Morgan. "I was the won that won this contest and got very little help from Donita, who is terrified of a cow," proclaimed David, as he brought his milk bucket to the judges.
Second place in the Parent's Milking Contest was Kelly and Shelly Wiser, parents of the winning milker, Dichele Wiser.
Following the Parent's Milking Contest, a friendly contest was conducted for the Balloon Pilots, who find this one of the highlights of their annual trip to Sulphur Springs. Dirk Lee and Joe Paddie teamed-up to win first place honors in their contest, while Jimmy Greenwood won second prize.
Future Dairy Queen?.......Breanna Bowen, daughter of Michael and Amy Bowen,
shows the queen candidates how it is done, at Saturday's contest.
The REAL cowboys, were Korey and Koyt Koon, whose Randy Koon Family provides their registered Jersey cows
for the annual Milking Contest each year. "We couldn't have the contest without the Koon's gracious support of bringing
cows for us to use, each year," stated Dairy Festival President, Mary Crump.
Congratulations to
Our Milking Contest Winners!
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