ATHENS, Tenn. — National MooFest, the festival that celebrates the dairy industry, returns to Athens, Tenn. June 5 and 6.
"The past two years have been so successful, we need two days to accommodate all the activities, all the music, all the food and all the fun," said MooFest's Grand MooMa Elaine Newman.
The two-day event will feature many of the contests that have made the last two MooFest's so successful, including an ice cream eating contest, "Milkshake Shake," scoop-stacking contest, sundae-making and milk chugging contests, and the wildly popular ice cream recipe contest.
The festival will also have an "udderly" fascinating array of exhibits on the history and practices of the dairy industry, agriculture demonstrations and an animal exhibit that will prominently feature cows.
"It's a great opportunity for kids and adults alike to learn about the dairy industry in a fun way," said Newman.
A number of food vendors and a wide array of arts and crafts booths will also be set up throughout the festival grounds, Newman said.
"It will be a community marketplace," she added.
Musical entertainment will begin on Friday evening, June 4, as workers and vendors get the festival ready and won't stop ‘till Sunday evening, June 6. Musical guests from across the Southeast will perform a variety of styles for a variety of tastes, including Smooth Sailing, No Big Deal featuring Cathy Dover, Carla Jo Carr & The Silver Wings Band and Heaven's Seekers.
MooFest will coincide with other traditional Athens events, including the Athens Kiwanis Club's annual pancake breakfast, Athens Lions Club's MooRun 5k run and this year's running of the Athens Soap Box Derby.
Admission to MooFest is $3 per person, and children under age 6 get in free. Two-day passes are available for $5. Festival-goers who purchase a one-day ticket are encouraged to text the word "MOO" to 62447 to receive free admission on the second day.
For more information on MooFest, including how to volunteer for or help sponsor the event, visit National MooFest.
WSBTV
