Summer is not official until June 20 this year. Still, the 63rd edition of the Putnam County Dairy Festival and Parade essentially signaled the season for a couple of thousand visitors to downtown Eatonton on Saturday.
Following a morning Fun Run and 5K race, and a pickleball tournament (see results, page A3) at the Putnam County Rec Center under sunny skies amid temperatures in the mid-80s, the parade promptly opened festivities at 10 a.m., led by Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills and Eatonton Police Chief Howell Cardwell.
After starting near the Uncle Remus Museum, the procession made its way up Jefferson Avenue, past the historic Putnam County Courthouse and then Eatonton City Hall, before turning left toward Madison Avenue, lined by its stately, restored homes and quaint storefronts. It then winded its way down Marion Street and returned to South Washington Street to its departure point.
Crowds of four and five deep lined much of the parade route, enjoying a seemingly limitless lineup of fire trucks followed by a long line of antique tractors, various dairy-designed floats, and a wide array of customized and classic cars and trucks.
Local dignitaries, including Eatonton Mayor John Reid and his wife, Eatonton Councilwoman Janie Reid, were chauffeured along the parade’s path. At the same time, Putnam County Clerk of Courts Trevor Addison drove his own truck alongside his wife and young daughter.
Meanwhile, county Tax Commissioner Terrell Abernathy opted to till the streets aboard one of the antique farm tractors, bringing a bearded Oliver Wendell Douglas to mind.
Once the parade ended, many of the special guests made their way to the temporary stage built in front of the courthouse steps, where they made speeches extolling Eatonton, Putnam County, and its well-earned title as Dairy Capital of Georgia.
Putnam County High School’s award-winning FFA team members were also introduced and celebrated, including graduated senior Andrew Hildreth, who was named Supreme Champion for Georgia at the statewide FFA dairy heifer show and competition in Perry.
Andrew and fellow PCHS FFA Dairy Show team members Sydney Harris and James Ezzard were also part of the 2024 Grand Champion Fitting team at the Sullivan’s Dairy Heifer Fitting Contest this spring.
Meanwhile, on the backside of the courthouse, hundreds of family members and friends remained busy sampling the fare of several food trucks and trailers in between visits to various vendors of everything from cow-themed coffee cups at the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce booth to Donald Trump trinkets touted at the Putnam County Republicans’ tent to catch a cup of coffee at Sylvia’s across the street.
Kids count in Eatonton, too, where the Dairy Festival featured several small fairground rides, including a whirling device not meant for the faint of stomach, as well as a more sedate, seated ride, and a giant, bungee-corded contraption that allowed the more adventurous tykes to twist and twirl high above the ground.
Yes, alongside the Dairy Festival, summertime officially arrived in Eatonton.