BY PAUL MITCHELL
North Country This Week

CANTON – For decades, the first weekend in June in Canton meant one thing - the annual Dairy Princess Parade and Festival.

Last year with COVID 19 protocol in place, a modified event was held in August. But in a few weeks, Dairy Festival Days will hit the streets of Canton on June 3 and 4.

“ I am very pleased the Canton Chamber of Commerce Dairy Festival days have returned to our traditional first weekend in June this year,” stated Tammy Mackin, the Canton Chamber’s executive director. “The festival will be packed with traditional events as well as new activities.”

This year’s theme is “We Will Dairy On,” a theme dedicated to the dairy farmers’ resilience and commitment to the highest standards to provide the best quality dairy products and stewardship of the animals and land.

Mackin is making a final push to vendors and parade participants. If interested, contact Mackin by calling (315) 386-8255 or email cantonchamberny@gmail.com . Registration forms are available on the camber website at cantonny.gov/chamber/chamber-events

Friday’s lineup will feature the popular Big Wheel races at 6 p.m. on Park Place adjacent to the village park. There is a $1 registration fee per child - four, five and six year olds. Following the races, a block dance, featuring music by Steelin’ Country, will be held.

The Festival in the Park on Saturday will begin at 10 a.m. The Dairy Princess Parade through downtown Canton will begin at 1 p.m.

“Starting the year off in 2022, I received many phone calls and emails inquiring about the Dairy Festival event and if it would be in June this year. Although we had to hold the festival on a non-traditional date in August last year, we had a great turnout,” Mackin said.

“We anticipate a much larger crowd this year with many long-time vacationers who visit Canton specifically at this time of year to participate in this event in June. We are excited to get back to attracting vacationers and residents from throughout St. Lawrence County to Canton to experience all our gorgeous village and town offer,” she said.