It’s time to tap into nostalgia and toast dairy traditions – after all, the Minnesota State Fair isn’t complete without ice cream, milk, butter sculptures and more! Fairgoers can visit the Dairy Goodness Bar to enjoy Midwest Dairy’s ninth annual Flavor of the Fair, “Rock Star-Berry” malt or sundae. They can also make flavor suggestions for next year and purchase other dairy products like local cheese and yogurt. Next to the Dairy Goodness Bar is the rotating cooler where people can watch while the 71st Princess Kay of the Milky Way and the eight finalists have their likenesses carved in butter by resident butter sculptor, artist and Minnesota native, Gerry Kulzer.
Also not to be missed is the All-You-Can-Drink Milk Stand, owned by Minnesota’s dairy farm families. A tradition at the fair since 1955, visitors to the All-You-Can-Drink Milk Stand can purchase a bottomless cup of 2% white or 1% chocolate milk for $3.
“Rock Star-Berry” – The New Flavor of the Fair
Midwest Dairy is excited to feature its ninth Flavor of the Fair – a special flavor only available during that year’s state fair. This year’s flavor, “Rock Star-Berry,” is a vanilla malt or sundae topped with a scoop of nostalgic and colorful fruity rice cereal along with sweet, juicy strawberries – the ultimate blend of smooth and crunchy, sweet and fruity.
Visitors to the Dairy Goodness Bar will be able to suggest potential flavor combinations for the 2025 Flavor of the Fair.
As always, the Dairy Goodness Bar will serve up its variety of famous malts, sundaes and cones, as well as other dairy products including milk, yogurt, Greek yogurt and of course, cheese sticks.
Minnesota’s Dairy Leader, Princess Kay
The nine Princess Kay of the Milky Way candidates have been preparing for judging and coronation since they were selected in May. From the start of the Princess Kay program in 1954, the coronation has served as the unofficial kick-off to the fair, bringing together State Fair and dairy enthusiasts to celebrate these young leaders and the dairy community’s important contribution to Minnesota. During her year-long reign, Princess Kay serves as a goodwill ambassador for Minnesota’s dairy farmers. She helps bring dairy to life for consumers and engages with the public about dairy’s nutritional stories and farmers’ commitment to environmental stewardship. The coronation ceremony starts at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21, at the State Fair Leinie Lodge Bandshell Stage (1302 Cooper Street).
Beginning Thursday, Aug. 22, the 71st Princess Kay of the Milky Way and each of the eight Princess Kay finalists will have their likenesses carved in butter. Princess Kay’s likeness will be carved over two days, on Thursday, Aug. 22, and Friday, Aug. 23, with one of the eight finalists’ likenesses carved each day of the fair through Sunday, Sept. 3 (excluding Tuesday, Aug. 27), from approximately 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Dairy Building (1694 Judson Avenue). Princess Kay and the finalists will share their dairy stories and answer questions from the crowd as they sit for resident butter sculptor and Minnesota artist Gerry Kulzer as he creates their sculptures inside the 40-degree, rotating sculpting booth.
Princess Kay and finalists will also appear in Midwest Dairy’s educational area across from the butter sculptures, bringing dairy to life with fairgoers by sharing stories and answering questions about farmers’ commitment to sustainability, animal care and providing nutritious products to help feed the world.
Fairgoers can follow the Princess Kay coronation live on her Facebook page and also see regular butter sculpture updates there and on Instagram.
All-You-Can-Drink Milk: The Best Value at the Fair
Fairgoers seeking their fill of fresh, cold, 2% white or 1% chocolate milk can do so for $3 per cup at the All-You-Can-Drink Milk Stand. The all-you-can drink tradition began in 1955 when the stand was a tent on Machinery Hill, charging a dime for a bottomless cup of white milk. It later moved to its current location on the corner of Judson and Clough (kitty-corner from the Coliseum), and following a rebuild of the stand in 2004, chocolate milk was added to the menu. It is the only food or drink item offered at the fair as an unlimited item.
For more information about Midwest Dairy, visit www.midwestdairy.com.
Midwest Dairy® represents 4,000 dairy farm families and works on their behalf to build dairy demand by inspiring consumer confidence in our products and production practices. We are committed to Bringing Dairy to Life! by giving Consumers an Excellent Dairy Experience and are funded by farmers across a 10-state region, including Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. For more information, visit MidwestDairy.com, and follow us on Facebook and YouTube.