The 64th Mower County Dairy Princess will be crowned at the annual banquet on April 21 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Adams.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the dairy social time.  The banquet meal will be served promptly at 7 p.m.

The six 2017 Mower County Dairy Princess candidates are Morgan Beckmann of Rose Creek, daughter of Stacia and Travis Pudenz, sponsored by Smith Family Farms; Danielle Jax of Waltham, daughter of Doug and Becky Jax, sponsored by Sargeant Grain; Rachel Kloeckner of Adams, daughter of John and Barb Kloeckner, sponsored by Four Way Dairy Inc.; Julia Mullenbach of Rose Creek, daughter of Al and Lynette Mullenbach, sponsored by Read’s Brown Swiss; Cassidy Reinartz of Adams, daughter of Steve and Darcey Reinartz, sponsored by Northern Country Coop; and Abby Rossow of Dexter, daughter of Mike and Vicki Rossow, sponsored by AMPI.

Four candidates will be eligible to compete at the state contest in May where 12 finalists for the title of Princess Kay of the Milky Way will be chosen.

This year, two Mower County Milkmaids will be crowned. The Milkmaid program is open to third and fourth grade girls who have a passion for the dairy industry and dairy products. The candidates are: Amy Smith, daughter of Andy and Angie Smith of Adams, sponsored by Mayer Milk Hauling and Smith Family Farms; and Lauren Irvin, daughter of Jason and Karen Irvin of Rose Creek, sponsored by Jake’s Petroleum L/C.

Stephanie Sukalski, 2016 Mower County Dairy Princess and finalist for Princess Kay of the Milky Way, will have her “butterhead” on display and give a retiring address. The banquet will again include the traditional scholarship auction, silent scholarship auction and numerous door prizes.

Tickets for the banquet are $10 and must be purchased by April 13 from Eugene Anderson at 507-477-3457.