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All things dairy will be celebrated this Saturday at the 2025 Dairy Drive. All ages are invited to join the South ��ֱ���� State University Department of Dairy and Food Science and its partners for a tailgate experience focused on one of the most popular food groups. 

Dairy Drive is a free event happening this Saturday, Sept. 27, starting in the tailgating lots outside of Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium and at Alfred Dairy Science Hall before the SDState Jackrabbits take on the Mercyhurst University Lakers. Elements of dairy will be infused throughout the day, including tours of the Davis Dairy Plant, a Dairy Drive Sweepstakes, recognition of student dairy judging and competition teams and lots of free dairy samples. 

“South ��ֱ���� is one of the fastest growing states in the U.S. for the number of dairy cows, and Dairy Drive is a great opportunity to recognize the contributions of the dairy industry, as well as the value of dairy food consumption, to our state,” Londa Nwadike, David A. Thompson Endowed Department Head of Dairy and Food Science, said. “We want to be sure to recognize and appreciate the hard work of all the people working in the dairy industry in our state and region.” 

As part of the celebration, attendees will be invited to enter the Dairy Drive Sweepstakes by stopping by each of the participating sponsor booths and sampling some tasty dairy treats to complete a punch card. Participating booths and activities will include: 

• Having a dish of SDSU ice cream with the Department of Dairy and Food Science
• Waking up for the day with an iced coffee with milk, or just the milk, with Prairie Farms
• Spinning the trivia wheel for a prize with Associated Milk Producers Inc.
• Having a grilled cheese with Valley Queen
• Sampling a mini wheel of cheese from Bel Brands 

One additional entry can be gained by taking a tour of the Davis Dairy Plant in Alfred Dairy Science Hall, where the famous SDSU ice cream is made. The winner of the sweepstakes will receive an exclusive Dairy Drive hard-sided cooler filled with sponsor goodies. All sponsor booths are located in the tailgating area to the north of the football stadium and will be open 9- a.m.-1 p.m. The Department of Dairy and Food Science tailgating station is near the tailgating area on the west edge of campus outside of the Davis Dairy Plant. 

In addition to the pregame dairy, starting halfway through the fourth quarter, Department of Dairy and Food Science students and the student Dairy Club will hand out free cheese sticks to everyone leaving the football game, including future Jackrabbits. Saturday is also SDState Senior Day, an event bringing hundreds of potential students to campus and showing them opportunities for building a career in the dairy industry. Nwadike’s department is proud of its 100% job placement rate for recent graduates and looks forward to talking with students about career options in dairy. 

“The students in our department are very hard working and have great future careers ahead of them,” Nwadike said. “Dairy Drive coinciding with Senior Day is a great way for potential students to learn more about in our program, the scholarships we offer and the potential careers available to them after studying in the SDState Department of Dairy and Food Science.”