Walthall County will celebrate its deep dairy industry roots with the 31st annual Walthall County Dairy Festival on June 7 at Holmes Water Park in Tylertown.
The old-fashioned family event, sponsored by the Walthall County Chamber of Commerce, will include a full day of popular draws.
The Cream Pitcher Walk, sponsored by Walthall General Hospital, begins at 7 a.m. at the entrance to the walking track at the water park. Opening ceremonies begin at 8 a.m. at the stage area.
The Walthall Homemakers-sponsored baby contest is at 8:15 at the main stage, and the homemakers’ flower show kicks off at 9 a.m. in the pavilion.
Other events include turtle races, arts and crafts, the Cream Pitcher Fun Farm, a rock climbing wall sponsored by the National Guard, antique engine and tractor display, entertainment, and plenty of food and drinks concessions, as well as free milk and ice cream, courtesy of Dairy Farmers of America.
The Cow Bag nationals Street Rod Car Show will be held near Magee’s Creek, and a “guess the cow weight” contest will be held on the park grounds, sponsored by livestock producers. Joe and Scott Stinson will present a portable sawmill demonstration. Also on view will be demonstrations by Tylertown Fire Department and air and ground ambulances by AAA Ambulance.
Southern Tractor will again host the children’s pedal pull in the baseball field area.
The Dairy Festival Queen pageant begins at 10 a.m., and the Walthall General Hospital’s sponsored bake-off begins at 10:30. An ice cream eating contest, sponsored by Jones Furniture, begins at 11:30 a.m. in the stage area. And at 11:45 a.m., the annual butter churning contest will begin. A homemade butter and cake auction will follow at 1 p.m., when the bake-off and butter churning products will be sold.
A mooing contest, sponsored by Pike National Bank, begins at 1:30 p.m. And kids can look for treats and prizes during the Walthall Farm Bureau’s Trail of Dairy Treasures, which leaves from the stage area at 2:30 p.m.
Also scheduled in the afternoon is the Rotary Club’s bubblegum blowing contest. Registration for the popular turtle race begins at 3 p.m., and the race starts at 4:15.
The Chamber of Commerce’s annual Spring Fling drawing begins at 4:45 p.m., followed by an evening of gospel music, starting at 5.
The festival will close out with a fireworks display at 9 p.m., sponsored by Citizens Bank.
For more information, contact the Walthall County Chamber of Commerce at 876-2680.
