HARVARD, Ill. - Thousands of people will be “Moooving in Changing Times” during the 68th annual celebration of Harvard Milk Days.

The antique tractor show, the 31st annual run/walk, parade, milk-drinking contests, talent show, cattle show, live entertainment, cow-chip lotto and fireworks displays are among the popular offerings, most of which take place on the Milky Way Park grounds, Highway 173 West.

Other activities include a banana derby, great cat adventure, chain-saw carving and hot-air balloon launch (weather permitting), not to mention carnival rides, petting zoo and plenty of concessions.

The entertainment lineup includes the Pioneer Drum & Bugle Corps, the Living River Quartet and New Odyssey.

Milk Days began in 1942 when people got together to honor area farmers who had increased milk and food production for the war effort. At the time, seven dairy companies were located within 15 miles of Harvard, which proclaimed itself as the milk center of the world. A record 75,000 people attended the city’s special centennial celebration in 1956.

In 1970, the city introduced Harmilda, a fiberglass cow who became the community’s mascot. She sits at the intersection of highways 14 and 173.

For more information, visit the organization’s Web site at www.milkdays.com or call (815) 943-4614.

Friday

10-4:30 p.m.: Antique Tractor Show

5 p.m.: Milk Days Festival Grounds Open
Carnival, Concessions, Petting
Zoo, Milk Days Market Place/Food
Court, Chain saw carving, Hot air
Balloon launch (weather permitting

5 and 7 p.m.: Banana Derby
America’s Favorite Monkey
Jockeys

6 and 10 p.m.: Entertainment
“Pioneer Drum & Bugle Corps”
Special Appearance-Soccer Fields

6-8 p.m.: Great Cat Adventures
Preservation through Education
& Entertainment

10:45 p.m.: Short Ground Fireworks Display
Short Display visible from
Milk Days Grounds

Saturday

6:45 am Milk Run/Walk Registration
Jefferson School

8 am 2 Milk Run and Walk, 10K Run
Kids’ Dash
Jefferson School

9-11 a.m.: Antique Tractor Show

9:30 a.m.: Milk Days Brunch
Orion Samuelson-emcee
Harvard Moose Lodge
Reservations required $16.50

1 p.m.: 68th Annual Milk Days Parade
Don Peasley-Grand Marshal
Ayer Street

2 p.m.: Milk Days Festival Grounds Open
Carnival, Concessions, Milk Days Market Place/ Food Court, Petting zoo, chain saw carving, Hot Air Balloon Launch (weather permitting)

3-7 p.m.: Antique Tractor Show

3, 5 and 7 p.m.: Banana Derby
America’s Favorite Monkey Jockeys

4, 6 and 8 p.m.: Great Cat Adventures
Preservation through Education
& Entertainment

4 p.m.: Milk Drinking Contest (3 p.m. signup)
Entertainment Tent

6-9 p.m.: Talent Show
Entertainment Tent

7 p.m.: Cow Chip Lotto

10:45 p.m.: Ground Fireworks Display

Sunday

10 a.m.: Community Church Service
Entertainment Tent

Noon: Milk Days Grounds Open
Milk Days Market Place/Food Court, petting zoo, chain saw carving,
carnival, Hot Air Balloon
Launch (weather permitting)

Noon: Junior Dairy Cattle Show
Antique Tractor Show (till 3)

1-3 p.m.: “Living River Quartet” Gospel Singers
Entertainment Tent

1, 3, 5 & 7 Banana Derby
America’s Favorite Monkey Jockeys

2, 4, 6 & 8 Great Cat Adventures
Preservation through Education
& Entertainment

5 p.m.: Cow Chip Lotto
Milk Days Grounds

7 p.m.: Entertainment
“New Odyssey”

10 p.m.: Fireworks

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