2026 Jefferson County Dairy Parade Wrap-Up
If you missed the 2026 Jefferson County Dairy Parade, you can still enjoy the magic by watching the NBC Watertown broadcast and reliving the music, floats, and everything that makes this tradition so special.
It was a fantastic evening for a parade, with more than 6,000 people lining Washington Street in Watertown to celebrate the region's dairy heritage. Thanks to the Watertown City School District and a team of 10 volunteers, the parade lineup ran smoothly. The City of Watertown Department of Public Works and Department of Parks and Recreation had Washington Street prepared and traffic closed beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Pre-Parade Entertainment
Two pre-parade performances helped entertain the crowd before the first unit stepped off. Near the NBC Watertown broadcast booth in front of the Best Western Carriage House Inn, crowd favorite Northern Blend Chorus performed several traditional favorites before concluding with the National Anthem. Closer to the start of the parade, at Bad Apple Garage, Showstarters Entertainment introduced a new attraction, "The Cowgirls." The act featured a stilt walker and ground performer, and the Cowgirls also entertained spectators along the parade route.
Musical Performances
Ten musical acts participated in this year's parade, including The Blind Drummer from The Music Box and nine high school marching bands. Belleville-Henderson, Copenhagen, Indian River, LaFargeville, Lowville, Pulaski, Sackets Harbor, Sandy Creek, and Watertown school districts were all represented by outstanding performances from their student musicians.
This marked the first appearance of a Watertown marching band in the Dairy Parade in 25 years.
Dairy Delights
Several floats offered dairy product samples to spectators, including the famous Cowlick Ice Cream cups distributed to children along the route. More than 2,000 cups of ice cream were handed out during the evening.
Debut of "The Big Cheese"
Making its public debut was "The Big Cheese."
The story traces back to Colonel Thomas Meacham of Sandy Creek, who in 1835 produced a 1,400-pound wheel of cheese and presented it to President Andrew Jackson at the White House in honor of George Washington's birthday. Citizens of Washington were invited to share in the celebration and "eat cheese."
In recognition of America's upcoming 250th anniversary, Great Lakes Cheese in Adams has recreated the 1,400-pound cheese. Together with local dairy farms and agricultural organizations, the cheese will be exhibited throughout Northern New York this summer.
Great Lakes Cheese has earned its own claim to the title "The Big Cheese." Last year, the Adams facility achieved a remarkable milestone by producing more than 100 million pounds of cheese in a single year.
Jefferson County Economic Development, who produces the parade, sends a big thanks to the sponsors of the parade:
Midway International Logistics
Northern New York Community Foundation
Old McDonald’s Farm, North Harbor Dairy Farm, Robbins Family Grain
Rhodes Greenhouses
Eastman Dairy Farm
Cross Island Farm
Grimshaw Dairy Farm
OD Greene Lumber
Murcrest Dairy Farm
Porterdale Farms
Jefferson County Economic Development thanks our Board of Directors and members of the Jefferson County Agricultural Development Council for help in planning the parade!
The 2027 Jefferson County Dairy Parade is Friday June 4 2027 starting at 7:00pm.
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