Dairy MAX’s traveling exhibit, the Dairy Discovery Zone (DDZ), reached a remarkable milestone at the State Fair of Texas this October by welcoming their three millionth fan! This significant achievement highlights the exhibit’s ongoing success in educating and engaging communities across the region about the importance of dairy in our daily lives.
The Dairy Discovery Zone, a mobile learning experience, has been a staple at fairs, festivals and school events, captivating audiences with interactive displays, virtual reality experiences, and hands-on activities that bring the story of dairy farming to life. Since its launch in 2010 the exhibit has traveled thousands of miles, making stops in Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, inspiring a new generation of dairy enthusiasts.
“We are incredibly proud to reach this milestone,” said Kaci Creel, vice president of communications for Dairy MAX. “The Dairy Discovery Zone has been a tremendous success in connecting people with the dairy community and educating them on where their milk, cheese and yogurt come from. We are grateful to the communities who have welcomed us and to all our visitors who have shared in this experience.”
The DDZ is unique in its method of offering an experience to fans, providing engaging education on dairy’s sustainability story and the nutritional value of dairy foods. Each area is enhanced with digital video games that align with the rising popularity of gaming and allow visitors to experience hands-on how to build their own dairy farm, follow the journey of milk from farm-to-table and learn how farmers care for their animals and the environment.
“The Dairy Discovery Zone’s mission is to engage and educate families about the importance of dairy in a fun and interactive way,” said Adrian Castresana, director of consumer experience and events at Dairy MAX. “This past year we’ve seen record engagement numbers, which shows a growing interest in where our food comes from and enjoyment in hands-on learning.”
Over the past decade the DDZ has offered visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the dairy community through attractions like Dairy by Design, the interactive game “Would You Rather” and the Divco Milk Truck experience, where participants could listen to dairy-themed radio channels. The animatronic dairy cow and the Oculus-powered Virtual Farm Tour continued to be focal points, offering hands-on milking and a 360 virtual reality experience of farm life that captivates all ages!
The Dairy Discovery Zone aims to continue its mission of promoting dairy education and advocacy, with plans to visit even more communities in the coming months. As Dairy MAX looks forward to the future, it remains committed to spreading the message of sustainable and nutritious dairy farming.
“The Dairy Discovery Zone transcends the typical exhibit format, serving as a conduit that links today’s families to the origins of dairy farming,” stated Castresana. “Our presence at these events has afforded us a remarkable chance to educate, captivate and entertain attendees while sharing the important work of our dairy farmers.”
For more information about the Dairy Discovery Zone and its upcoming events, visit www.DairyDiscoveryZone.com.
