Family Fun at the @DairyMax Dairy Discovery Zone! #TXStateFair

My family was invited to spend the day at the State Fair of Texas this weekend.  (Thanks, Dairy Max Discovery Zone!)  My children were excited, and Mom and Dad were, too!

Despite the rainy weather here in Burleson, the skies in Dallas, TX were clear!  We ventured out, and made it just in time to watch the milk toast to Big Tex to celebrate his 60th Birthday!   (My children, and husband, were excited to receive FREE milk – They love milk, and I love the healthy benefits!)

After the toast, we walked over to the Dairy Discovery Zone, which was filled with educational information about milk!  My daughter enjoyed the pretend food in the refrigerator, my son enjoyed the Dairy Quiz touch screen game (which is available for iPads and iPhones here), and my youngest loved everything from the over-sized cheese wedge to the balloons!  I had fun reading all of the educational information.  (Did you know that a cow eats 100 pounds of food each day?  Or when a cow is sick, her milk is disposed?  ….Interesting!)

My children were allowed to milk a pretend cow, but later we watched a real cow milking demonstration!  It was a day filled with new experiences, education and fun!

If you head out to the state fair this month, make sure you stop by the Dairy Discovery Zone!

(Our view from the Skyline Gondola)

A little more about Dairy Discovery Zone and Dairy MAX:
Dairy MAX travels to fairs and exhibitions in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Southwest Kansas to educate people about dairy products. The interactive and virtual fun tour, Dairy Discovery Zone, is geared toward children, but can also teach adults about the dairy industry, along with the consumption, nutrition and sale of dairy products, and healthy lifestyles. The mobile exhibit features a walk-through trailer that has a touch screen television featuring educational videos and 150 facts line the walls. After walking through the trailer there are multiple handouts, including recipes and a backpack.

Dairy Discovery Zone’s main point of interest is the life-size replica cow that can be milked. Fair goers have the opportunity to take their picture with the cow and be entered into contests to win free prizes and a chance to name the cow. At each event, approximately 35,000 to 60,000 people come through the exhibit—approximately 2,000 a day. In a year’s time, Dairy MAX reaches approximately 230,000 people.

Dairy MAX is also involved in Fuel Up to Play 60.  They’ve teamed up with the National Dairy Council and the National Football League to eat right and stay active. It also allows the students more accessibility to nutrient-rich meals. Fuel Up to Play 60 has challenges throughout the year for students, and the winners receive prizes. Former and present NFL players visit schools to talk to the students and educate them about the importance of having a healthy lifestyle. Dairy MAX’s goal is to educate people about the importance of healthy living and the nutritious facts about dairy while being entertaining.