Those who are eager for some summer fun may want to check out Stephenville’s annual Moo-La Fest set for Thursday, May 30 through Saturday, June 1 at Stephenville City Park.
On Thursday, May 30 Moo-La Fest kicks off with Carnival Americana from 4-11 p.m. and at 6 p.m. there is Moo-ve It, a 5K and 1 Mile Fun run. Early registration is $25 and $30 on race day and takes participants on a gorgeous route through the scenic City Park & Bosque River Trail in Stephenville.
Finisher medals will be given out to all participants of the 5k & 1 mile fun run.
From 7-10 p.m. Scott Kirby and The Belamy Brothers will perform.
On Friday, May 31, Carnival Americana will once again be in action from 4-11 p.m., food, merchant and alcohol vendors will be open from 5-10 p.m. as well as axe throwing, mini golf tournaments, the Texas Farm Bureau Learning Barn and Rodeo Zone Motor Ponies. From 6-10 p.m. there will be tethered hot air balloon rides (weather permitting). Tickets are $25 each.
From 7-10 p.m. Scott Kirby and Gary P. Nunn will perform.
Food vendors at this year’s Moo-La Fest will include Chick-Fil-A, Daiquiriville, Dippin Dots, Dulce Panda Creamery, El Taquito, Erma Jean’s, Josefina’s Tamales, Midnight Coffee Co., Southern Reflection Kettle Korn, Speedy Spudz and Straight from the South Mangonadas.
On Saturday, June 1, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. there will be food and merchant vendors, axe throwing and mini golf tournaments. Alcohol sales are available from noon to 11 p.m.
Rodeo Zone Motor Ponies will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the carnival will be open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The Mobile Dairy Classroom will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the mechanical bull will be in action from noon until 8 p.m.
Bah Ram You Mutton Bustin’ will take place at 6 p.m. and tethered hot air balloon rides will take place again from 6-10 p.m. At 7 p.m. Scott Kirby, Django Walker and Jerry Jeff Walker Tribute Band will perform.
Moo-La Fest was founded as a way to spotlight the local dairy industry and is named for the fiberglass Holstein cow statue in the center of downtown Stephenville, which honors the county’s dairy heritage. The statute was put into place in 1972.
Sometime in the mid-80’s Erath County became the number one milk producing county in the state and number 10 in the nation. While many counties around Erath and on toward the west suffered from a slowed economy, Erath continued in prosperity, a situation directly linked to the production of milk.
Each June, Erath County celebrates National Dairy Month.