For 55 years, cow-themed floats have stampeded the streets of Cortland each year, and they’ll do so again Tuesday for the annual Cortland County Dairy Parade.
The route will be a bit different because of construction on Main Street, but the parade will still return.
“A longstanding tradition in Cortland County, The Dairy Parade is an opportunity to highlight the importance of the dairy industry across Cortland County and to see local businesses, organizations, and youth groups who support our dairy community,” said Andrea Niggli, a member of the Cortland County Dairy Promotion Committee.
Niggli said that the parade has been held in Cortland for at least 55 years, minus a hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The Cortland County Dairy Promotion Committee is the organizer, which has a subcommittee for the parade,” Niggli said. “The parade is funded through the entry fees of the parade participants.”
Volunteers will direct traffic and residents through the parade, from North Main Street to Homer Avenue, then Homer Avenue north to the Cortland County Fairgrounds, where the committee will crown a new county dairy ambassador.
The parade is a celebration of Cortland County’s dairy industry, which includes 75 dairy farms and more than 12,100 cows, the state Department of Agriculture and Markets reported in 2021.
“All entries must show support of the dairy industry with their entry,” Niggli said. “There are awards given for best business, best non-profit, best youth group and best overall. These awards are based on the entries' creativity in promoting the dairy industry.”
Niggli said people who attend the parade can expect to see Cortland County fire and police departments and school bands alongside dairy-related youth programs, businesses and animals.
“Today, dairy farmers are active members of their local community and create an estimated 900,000 jobs in the United States alone,” Niggli said. “They are your friends and neighbors, but most important of all, they are dedicated to producing nutritious and tasty milk and dairy foods for all to enjoy.“
The lineup, as of May 24:
Division I
North Main Street
1. Cortland City Police
2. Boy Scouts of America, Troop 91 of McGraw
3. Cortland County 2023 Dairy Ambassador Candidate
4. Cortland County 2023 Dairy Junior Ambassadors
5. Cortland County Sheriff
6. New York State Police
7. Homer Police Department
8. City of Cortland Fire Department
9. Baldwinsville Marching Band
Division II
Lincoln Avenue
1. Guthrie Cortland Medical Center
2. CAPCO
3. Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways
4. Girl Scout Troop 60058
5. Taughannock District Scouts
6. Studio Z
7. Greenman Electric
8. McGraw High School Parade Band
9. Crown City Little League
10. Cortland United Teachers Association
11. Enchanted Design
Division III
Maple Avenue
1. Cortland High School Marching Band
2. Cortland YMCA Gymnastics
3. Racker
4. Cortland Junior Fair Queen and Court
5. Farm Credit East
6. Cincy Country Kids 4-H Club
7. Crown Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
8. Child Development Council
9. Truxton Academy Charter School
10. BOOM Dance Complex
11. National Farmers Organization
Division IV
Jewett Avenue (Main to Grace)
1. Homer High School Marching Band
2. CNY Maple Festival Queen and Court
3. Portzline Day Program Family Home
4. Coffee Mania
5. Cortland Performing Arts
6. Dairy Dreamers 4-H Club
7. Intertek
8. Elizabeth Brewster House
9. G-BAR-T Rodeo Corp.
10. ARC
Division V
Jewett Avenue (Grace to Homer Avenue)
1. Moravia Marching Band
2. Tompkins County Dairy Princess and Court
3. Salvation Army
4. Super Cuts
5. Cortland Transit
6. Moes Southwest Grill
7. Cortland Park
8. R Own 4H Club
Division A
Madison Street
1. III. Leach’s Custom Trash, featuring Achoo!
2. Shipwreck Amusements
3. Cincinnatus Fire Department
4. Homer Fire Department
5. IV. Virgil Fire Department
6. Etna Fire Department
7. Truxton Fire Department
8. Cazenovia Equipment
9. V. Cortlandville Fire Department
10. Kaylee Towing
11. McGraw Fire Department
12. CNY Family of Dealerships
13. Cuyler Fire Department
