Bake-off, butter churning, family fun highlight 44th annual Dairy Fest

The bake-off is a big part of the Dairy Festival. Whoever is judged with the best cake gets bragging rights for a year.
The bake is sponsored by Walthall General Hospital. Any kind of cake can be entered. The only requirement is that it contain at least two dairy products.
Entries will need to be taken to the Walthall General Hospital booth by 9 a.m. to be entered for judging. Judges will judge entries on taste, appearance and originality.
Cakes must be submitted on a disposable plate or cardboard, wrapped in plastic. The entry is considered a donation and will not be returned.
Do not submit something that needs refrigeration. The entrant’s name and phone number must be listed with the entry.
All cake entries will be auctioned following the judging with all proceeds going to the Dairy Festival.
For more information contact Julie McDonald at Walthall General, 601-876-0405.
The selection of the best cake in the county is only one of the events open to folks attending the 44th annual Dairy Festival at Holmes Water Park.
The festival is opening with the baby contest shortly after 8, a flower show, the queen pageant and ice cream eating.
Around midday the butter churning contest begins followed by an auction of homemade butter, and an auction of the hospital’s bake-off entries.
The sack races kick off at 12:30, mooing contest at 1:30, watermelon eating at 1:45 and bubble gum blowing at 2:45. The well-known turtle races begin at 3 p.m., but to race turtles must pass inspection starting at the stage. Turtle race T-shirts will be available on a fire-come, first serve basis, as there are only a limited number.
With entertainment throughout the day, loads of kids’ activities and games, a petting farm, antique engines and tractors, a street rod show and vintage bicycles to see, everyone in the family can be well entertained at no charge.
For an overall view of the Dairy Festival from a different vantage point, take advantage of the Festival’s two tethered balloon rides.
The Chamber’s spring fling drawing begin at 5:30 followed by evening entertainment at 6 and the always popular fireworks display at 9 pm.