New York State Dairy Princess

The New York State Dairy Princess Program was created to promote the dairy industry by educating consumers about dairy farming and products. Promotional duties are completed by the state dairy princesses, county dairy princesses, alternates and ambassadors working in cooperation with their local dairy promotion committees.
The state princess is chosen to represent dairy, New York State's number one agricultural industry. The princess holds the title for one year. She is selected on her speaking ability, knowledge of the dairy industry, poise and personality. According to the New York State Dairy Princess Pageant Handbook, the candidate must be 16 to 24 years of age. She must be the daughter of a dairy farmer or someone employed in a dairy related industry.
The New York State Dairy Princess Promotion Program began August 28, 1963. Nancy Harrington-Hicks from Oneida County was New York State's first dairy princess. She was among 15 other county princesses to compete for the state title. At the New York State Exposition Grounds, Harrington-Hicks was crowned the “Pioneer” state princess. She was one of the first nine New York State Dairy Princesses to compete at the national level. Although the American Dairy Princess pageant was discontinued in 1972, three states - New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania - continue the dairy pageantry on a state-wide level.
Currently, the New York State Dairy Princess Pageant is held in Liverpool, New York during late February for two days. During the competition, contestants interview before three judges, participate in a speech contest, and take dairy product knowledge and public relations tests. During the second evening of the pageant, seven finalists are chosen. Each finalist answers the same question in front of the audience. From there, the New York State Dairy Princess is chosen, along with a 1st Alternate and a 2nd Alternate.
The state princess and the alternates spend the year promoting the dairy industry across the state. The state princesses visit New York City Schools to teach students how dairy products are produced. They promote healthy benefits of dairy and the importance of consuming at least three servings of dairy a day.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu