Traverse Colantha Walker
Dairy Festival ~ June 10, 2012
Our 3rd Annual "Cow Fest," held on the second Sunday in June, will take place on June 10, 2011. See you on The Piazza!
The Traverse Colantha Walker Dairy Festival was definitely a resounding success! We celebrated Colantha’s historic accomplishments, as well as the urban renewal of The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, a Traverse City landmark. What a wonderful community full of fun-loving foodies, locavores, farmers, artists, preservationists, and environmentalists who bring our Village-wide, family friendly, day-long festival to life!
Colantha's Story
Of the 96 Holstein-Friesian cows that comprised the former Traverse City State Hospital’s herd, Colantha was by far the most prolific. In 1926, she produced 22,918 pounds of milk in a single year, making her the highest producer in the world! In her lifetime, from 1916 to 1932, her total production was 200,114.9 pounds of milk. According to a Federal census during that same year, the State average production was only 3,918 lbs. of milk per cow per year!
Colantha was so revered by hospital staff and patients that upon her death in 1932, a banquet was held in her honor, and a beautifully carved memorial stone was placed at her gravesite near the south end of the Commons property.
The former hospital facility, complete with magnificent historic buildings, massive barns, farmland and crop-land, was built in 1884 and remained in operation until 1989. The facility prided itself in becoming virtually self-sustainable through careful management of its crops and livestock. It is here, near the site of the historic cathedral barn, where Colantha Walker spent her bucolic life, lovingly tended to by the renowned staff and caretakers of the historic barns.
2011 Festival Schedule
Pancake Breakfast 10am-Noon
The Traverse City Fire Department will be serving up delicious Pancakes & Bacon, Coffee, Juice, and Moomers Milk to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. $4/adult; $2/kid portion.
Farmers Market 10am-3pm
Find fresh fruits, veggies & herbs, cheeses, eggs, bread, honey, sweets, and other goodies straight from the farm!
Food Vendors 10am-6pm
There will be plenty of options for the whole family, inside & out: Moomers, Left Foot Charley, Higher Grounds, The Underground Cheesecake Company, Mana, Sweet Asylum, TASTES of Black Star Farms, U&I Lounge, Shetler Family Dairy, Lil Bo, Cuppa Joe, Trattoria Stella, Zakey and more!
Art & Craft Vendors 10am-6pm
Peruse the Piazza for handmade treasures that you simply must have...or head inside to find a bargain or two in The Mercato shops.
Live Music
Old Foresters 10am-Noon
Joe Wilson & the True Falsettos 1-3pm
SourMash 4-6pm
Aromatherapy Presentation at Creation Pharm 11-11:30
Learn practical applications for skincare from Herbalist Anna Sangemino from Creation Farm Botanicals. The subject will be The New Aromatherapy: Hydrosols. Mercato Suite 25.
Wood Engraving Demo at Gallery Fifty 11am-Noon
Traverse City Art Icon Glenn Wolff will be demonstrating wood engraving techniques in The Mercato, just outside of the Gallery. Mercato Suite 50.
Participation Parade to Colantha's Headstone* Noon-1pm
Stroll along with the Dairy Queen & her Merry Milkmaids, and the Dairy Princess to Traverse Colantha Walker's resting place by the Historic Barns. Get your kazoo from The Underground Cheesecake Company, so you can play along with the Second Time Arounders during the parade!
*The round-trip parade walk is 1 mile.
Wine & Cheese Pairings at Left Foot Charley Noon-6pm
Enjoy three cheeses paired with five wines for $10. There will also be Juice & Cheese Pairings for $5, so the kiddos can do tastings along with Mom & Dad!
Fur Jacket Demo at Fridrich Furs 1-2pm
Watch as Master Furrier Michael Henke demonstrates how he creates his fur jackets, and answers your questions about his craft. Mercato Suite 35C.
Recycle Ranger Workshop 2-2:30pm
The Recycle Ranger will be here to teach you what you can recycle, how to recycle, and how recycling and composting can help
to make the world a better place to live. Meet in the Kid's Korner.
Wine Seminars at TASTES 2-3pm & 4-5pm
Join Donald Coe, Managing Partner of Black Star Farms, for a one hour introduction to the world of wine - "Barrel Aging, Hang Time and Blends: A tasting evaluation of six different wine types, paired with Michigan cheese.” Tasting glass is included, plus a 10% discount granted on any wine purchases made directly after the seminar. Stop into TASTES of Black Star Farms, or call 231.944.1349 for reservations. $20/person or $35/couple (Age 21+ only.) Mercato Suite 35.
The Great Grilled Cheese Grill-off 3-4pm
Who makes the Greatest Grilled Cheese Sandwich? You be the judge! Vote for the best sammie, as Pearl's New Orleans Kitchen defends their title against U&I Lounge, Lil Bo, and The Underground Cheesecake Company. This is gonna be delicious :) $5 for 4 Sandwich Quarters.
Fashion Show at Boutique à la Vie 4-5pm
Head into The Mercato, for a peek at Boutique à la Vie's latest styles in motion. See what clothing is hot this summer, check out the accessories that are sure to turn heads, and learn a few ways to tie a scarf. Mercato Suite 40.
There will also be Moomers Wagon Rides after the parade, Kid's Activities, plus Milk & Cookie Pairings for the kids, throughout the day!
