This Life-Size Cow Statue Has Been The Star Of A Small Illinois Town's Annual Milk Day Festival Since 1966
By Linze Rice|Published August 09, 2023
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Linze Rice
Author
Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
Wisconsin may think it’s the land of dairy, but just a few miles south of the border is an Illinois town that is a worthy challenger. Not only does it have one of the best festivals in Illinois, it’s town celebrity is black, white, and beloved all over. In a small town, it’s who you know that matters. And the star of the show at Milk Days in Harvard, Illinois is one you’ll truly want to meet.
Harvard is a small town in McHenry County that has celebrated the Milk Days parade and festival since 1942, making the 80+ year tradition one of the longest-running festivals in Illinois. You're welcomed into town by Harmilda, a statuesque fiberglass cow that stands proudly against the backdrop of her herd in a small triangular park at the center of town.
Her predecessor was Princess Blue Ox, a papier-mâché cow created by the local Junior Chamber of Commerce that was used to help promote the festival in its early years.
In 1966, the town was gifted a life-size fiberglass statue by the Jones Packing company, who traded some local meat for the cow figure. Not yet named, Harmilda can be seen in this 1966 photo standing in the background, waiting patiently to become queen.
In 1970, Harmilda was named by local residents who combined the words "Harvard Milk Days." Now, for more than 55 years, the udderly fabulous heifer has been a fixture and point of pride for the town.
I have many pictures as a child with Harmilda. It was always an exciting delight to drive up the street into town and see her coming up on the right side. My uncle lived along the parade route, so Milk Days were a special treat — Harmilda included.
She's even popular enough to visit other towns' parades.
The Milk Days parade is one of my favorites in Illinois, with an extra dash of whimsical performers. Its tradition of spotlighting dairy dates back to the 1940s when residents wanted to show support for local cow farmers. The festival's first attendees drank more than 500 gallons of milk.
Today, the festival thrives as a tribute to Midwestern farm life and small-town living. Milk Days has all the favorites and more: a carnival, tractor display, cattle show, milk-drinking contest, cow-milking contest, drool-worthy foods, a Queen coronation, and a parade, to name a few.
The carnival takes place at Milky Way Park, of course.
And if you're planning to check out the festival, you may as well not rush home — Harvard is located less than 20 minutes from stunning Lake Geneva in Wisconsin! Turn your Milk Days visit into a water-filled weekend getaway surrounded by some of the best fish fries around.
This clean, updated 2 bed-2 bath villa in Fontana-On-Lake Geneva is just a 17-minute drive to Harvard and can sleep up to 7. Complete with a balcony and a community pool — plus all the modern-day amenities you'd want — this condo is the perfect home away from home to enjoy a mini Midwestern vacation.
So, would you add a visit to Milk Days in Harvard, Illinois to your festival bucket list? What’s your favorite town mascot in Illinois? Tell us in the comments! Start planning your trip (Milk Days 2024 is May 31, June 1, and June 2) by heading to the Milk Days website and the Milk Days Facebook page. Not able to make Milk Days? You can still give Harvard a visit in the fall to spend a day picking apples at this beloved local farm.
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