By Scout Nelson
South Dakota State University (SDSU) invites families, students, and dairy fans to celebrate all things dairy at the 2025 Dairy Drive this Saturday, September 27.
The free event begins at 9 a.m. in the tailgating lots outside Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium and at Alfred Dairy Science Hall, creating a full day of fun leading up to the SDSU Jackrabbits football game against Mercyhurst University.
The Dairy Drive features a variety of activities highlighting the importance of dairy in South Dakota. Visitors can tour the Davis Dairy Plant, enjoy free samples of SDSU’s famous ice cream, and enter the Dairy Drive Sweepstakes.
To participate, guests collect stamps on a punch card by visiting sponsor booths and sampling dairy treats. One additional entry is earned by taking a plant tour. The sweepstakes prize is a special hard-sided cooler filled with dairy goodies from event sponsors.
Sponsor booths offer plenty of tasty experiences. Guests can sip iced coffee with Prairie Farms, spin the trivia wheel with Associated Milk Producers Inc., enjoy grilled cheese with Valley Queen, and sample mini cheese wheels from Bel Brands. Booths remain open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the north tailgating area.
The celebration continues after the game when students from the Department of Dairy and Food Science and the SDSU Dairy Club hand out free cheese sticks to departing fans. Saturday is also SDState Senior Day, giving prospective students a chance to learn about scholarships and careers in the dairy industry.
Department head Londa Nwadike highlights South Dakota’s rapid growth in dairy production and the strong job placement rate for graduates. The event showcases how the dairy industry supports local farms, offers rewarding careers, and provides nutritious foods enjoyed by families across the state.
Photo Credit: south-dakota-state-university
Categories: South Dakota, Education