April 25, 2025
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Harvard Milk Days 75th anniversary schedule of events

The sun sets while spectators fill Milky Way Park during the 2014 Milk Days carnival in Harvard. This year's carnival opens June 2 as the festival celebrates its 75th anniversary. (Shaw Media)

Harvard Milk Days celebrates its 75th anniversary this year with a theme of "Relive the Memories." The festival grounds at Milky Way Park will be open June 2 to June 5, with an added day of festivities this year. Admission to the park grounds is free; parking is $5 daily or $12 four-day pass (advance sale only). For information, call 815-943-4614 or visit www.milkdays.com.

Following is a complete schedule of the festival:

June 2

• 6 p.m. – Milk Days festival grounds open featuring a market place/food court, Cow Chip Lotto, carnival, concessions, petting zoo and chainsaw carving. Throughout the festival, "The Granpa Cratchet Show" will perform, with both a puppetmobile and shows. The festival also will feature an exotic animal exhibit and Knockerball, which is basically soccer in bubbles.

• 7 to 10 p.m. – Clutch Cargo performs in the new Entertainment Tent.

June 3

• 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Antique tractor display

• 5 p.m. – Milk Days festival grounds open.

• 7 to 10 p.m. – Dixie Crush performs in the Entertainment Tent.

• 10 p.m. – Fireworks display

June 4

• 6:45 a.m. – Milk Run/Walk registration at Jefferson School, one block east of Route 14 North (also the starting line)

• 8 a.m. – Two-Mile Run & Walk and 10K Run, Jefferson School

• 9 a.m. – Kids' Dash (50M and 100M), high school track (registration at 8 a.m.)

• 9 to 11 a.m. – Antique tractor display

• 10 a.m. – Milk Days brunch with emcee Orion Samuelson, Milk Days festival grounds in the Entertainment Tent. Cost is $16. Reservations required.

• 1 p.m. – 75th annual Milk Days Parade

• 2 p.m. – Milk Days festival grounds open

• 3 to 6 p.m. – Midway Madness with special pricing

• 4 p.m. – Milk Drinking Contest, Entertainment Tent. Registration at 3 p.m.

• 6 p.m. – Talent Show, Entertainment Tent

• 10 p.m. – Fireworks display

June 5

• 10 a.m. – Community Church Service, Entertainment Tent

• Noon – Milk Days festival grounds open

• Noon – Jr. Dairy Cattle Show

• Noon to 3 p.m. – Antique tractor display

• 10 p.m. – Fireworks display grand finale

#festivalsevents