By Joe Bachman
Editor

AMHERST JUNCTION — For 39 years and running, Ostrowski Brothers Farm have celebrated what Wisconsin is known best for along side a cold beer — dairy.

On Saturday, June 16, the annual Portage County June Dairy Breakfast will welcome all dairy-fanatics to enjoy breakfast on the farm. From its humble beginnings on June 8, 1978 at the Holiday Inn, the event started out as a bake-off, but as Co-chair Donna Altman put it, soon turned into “dairy and goats”.

Official as of 1980, the event has seen an increase in visitors every year — none of whom will likely go home with an empty stomach.

“We plan for a thousand, but we usually serve over that amount.” said Altman.

With such an increase, Altman has seen those who stay in mobile homes overnight just to enjoy the day’s festivities. For many, it’s their first time attending the breakfast.

“Just sitting down and having a meal on a dairy farm is a real treat for some people because they’ve never done this,” said Altman. “Some people just put their straw hat and cowgirl boots on and come down.”

The event will offer a dairy breakfast, including pancakes, eggs, Wisconsin cheese, fresh cheese curds, sausage, as well as pure maple syrup. In addition, free strawberry sundaes will be on hand for those with a sweet-tooth. Festivities include hay rides, animal displays, farm contests, butter demos, coloring contests, barrel wagon rides, tractor displays, and even a special Dairy Jeopardy.

New to this year will be a life-size model cow named “Journey” for kids and adults to practice their milking skills.

“It’s a day to promote the dairy industry and to give the city and other farm families a chance to visit a working dairy farm.”

Admission for this event is $6 for adults, $2 for ages 6-10, with children under five free. Enjoy breakfast on the farm at the Ostrowski Brothers Farm, 8931 County Road SS – Amherst Junction.