Hilmar dairy festival: A night of tradition, fun for all

The annual Hilmar Dairy and Farm Festival returned this year with a wide selection of food and activities for people of all ages.

The event that has been put on since the early 1980s, minus a small break a few years back, tends to gather a few hundred people every year, organizers said.

This year, attendees were able to give life to their creativity with more than 50 craft booths. Children had the chance Saturday to compete in a Milk Man and Milk Maid competition, and a “mooing” contest. Bounce houses and face painting were also available for children.

According to organizers, the festival, which took place at Hilmar High School, is a way to celebrate the community’s dairy roots.

Dan Ramos, a member of the organizing committee, said there is a lot of history behind the event. In the past, the festival ran all day, but has been an evening-only event ever since it returned from its break about six years ago.

The event included a car show and closed with the traditional fireworks show.

This story was originally published June 29, 2015 at 4:04 PM with the headline "Hilmar dairy festival: A night of tradition, fun for all."