Every August, while much of the country turns its attention to back-to-school season, Minnesotans count down to something just as familiar: the Minnesota State Fair. Here, hundreds of thousands flock to Sweet Martha's cookies, endless food-on-a-stick creations and the traditions that make it "The Great Minnesota Get-Together."

But before the gates open, before the first fair food is served, another Minnesota tradition takes center stage: the crowning of Princess Kay of the Milky Way.  

For Vivian Thompson, mother-in-law to Community Impact Administrative Coordinator Catherine Bell-Erickson, her journey began long before Princess Kay of the Milky Way was established.

In 1951, Vivian was 16 years old living on her family's dairy farm when a neighbor encouraged her to enter the local Dairy Princess competition. After winning locally, she advanced to Northwest Dairy Day in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, where she competed against 45 other young women.

"I was overwhelmed by the crowd,” she recalls.

In 1951, being a dairy princess looked like visiting local dairy farms, making appearances at community events and representing Minnesota’s dairy industry.

A few years later, in 1954, the competition was formalized by the Midwest Dairy Association — and Princess Kay of the Milky Way became the state’s official dairy ambassador.  

While the competition and title have evolved, key traditions remain, including the annual Minnesota State Fair visit and the carving of each princess’s likeness into a 90-pound block of butter.

Although Vivian’s trip to the 1951 fair looked different, the tradition still caught her attention decades later.

“A couple of years ago, I got to see the princess sitting in the refrigerated booth, while her face was carved in butter,” she says. "It was amazing.” 

Looking toward the next generation of dairy advocates

For dairy princesses, the role is more than a title or a crown; it’s a direct connection to the traditions that helped shape their childhood growing up on dairy farms.  

“As a kid, I would take my tin cup and go out to the barn and have my brother squeak milk, fresh milk in there, and I would drink,” Vivian remembers. “It was just something simple that I really enjoyed.”

That same connection to dairy also shaped Member Relations Execution Manager Kristy Miron, the 2008 Princess Kay of the Milky Way, whose story also began on a dairy farm.

Kristy grew up on a small dairy farm in southern Minnesota as one of three sisters in a family closely connected to the dairy community.  

"My mom served on a local dairy board and always taught the importance of being advocates for dairy,” Kristy shares. "That's where a lot of my passion sparked."

By the time Kristy was crowned in 2008, the role had expanded beyond local appearances into a highly visible platform for Minnesota dairy.

As Princess Kay, Kristy represented Minnesota dairy in local media interviews, public appearances and community events celebrating dairy. Experiences like these helped each princess build communication and advocacy skills and, for Kristy, those skills continue to serve her in her role at Land O'Lakes.  

"While dairy farms differ in size and scale, they all share a passion for caring not only for the animals, but also the land," she says. "Land O'Lakes plays a part in that story, too."  

That connection between agriculture, community and Minnesota tradition continues today.  Land O’Lakes is sponsoring the production of “Princess Kay of the Milky Way,” a new musical premiering at Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis, running Feb. 23 through April 4, 2027.

"For Land O'Lakes, this was a natural partnership," Community Relations Manager Kelly Bukowski says. “This production highlights the people, traditions and values at the heart of Minnesota agriculture. It’s an opportunity to connect families and young audiences with the rich dairy heritage that has helped communities across our state thrive."

Carrying the story forward

For Vivian and Kristy, being a Minnesota Dairy Princess meant advocating for an industry deeply connected to their families, communities and home state.  

Their stories began on dairy farms, but the crown gave them a larger platform to represent the farmers who shaped their childhoods and continue to shape Minnesota’s identity today.  

While a new Princess Kay will be crowned on Aug. 26, the goal remains the same: to give the next generation of agricultural leaders a voice to share the story of Minnesota dairy. 

"It's important that we share our story," Kristy says, "because we do have an incredible story to tell."