Contact: Ashley Huibregtse, 608-224-5002, ashley.huibregtse@wisconsin.gov
Jim Dick, Communications Director, 608-224-5020, jim.dick@wi.gov
MADISON – The 65th Alice in Dairyland Finals are fast approaching, and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) reminds the public to buy tickets now for the events in Grant County.
“I encourage people to purchase their tickets today to join me at the Grant County Alice in Dairyland Finals events,” said Katie Wirkus, the 64th Alice in Dairyland. “By attending the Finale, you will learn more about the $59 billion economic impact of Wisconsin agriculture, hear about how Wisconsin became my classroom for the year and meet the newly selected 65th Alice in Dairyland.”
On Friday, May 18, an Impromptu Question & Answer Session will feature a Taste of Grant County at the Holiday Gardens, 101 Brewery Hollow Road, Potosi. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Beginning at 7:00 p.m., the finalists will each answer questions about their experience and Wisconsin agriculture from the current Alice in Dairyland Katie Wirkus. Tickets for the event are $10 per person.
Tickets are also available for the events on Saturday, May 19 at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Ullsvick Hall, 1 University Plaza, Platteville. A Meet & Greet Reception with the finalists will be held from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. The Finale Program will begin at 7:00 p.m. with the selection of the 65th Alice in Dairyland occurring at the end of the evening. Following the selection of the next Alice in Dairyland, attendees will be welcome to stay for an After Glow Reception.
For Saturday evening, there are pricing options. To attend the entire evening’s events including the receptions, dinner and program, tickets are $25 per person or $175 for a table of eight people. To attend only the Finale program, each ticket is $5.
Tickets for Friday and Saturday events are available for purchase through the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Box Office at 608-342-1298 or toll-free at 877-727-1CRA. Tickets can also be bought online at https://tickets.uwplatt.edu/public. Space is limited.
The five finalists vying to be the 65th Alice in Dairyland are Ann Marie Ames, Danielle Hammer, Sarah Holm, Amy Manske and Rochelle Ripp. To this point, the finalists have completed applications, preliminary interviews and a two-day briefing. During the Grant County Finals, May 17-19, the finalists will complete an individual interview, writing exercise, media interviews, impromptu question and answer session, agribusiness tour talk and a finale speech before the selection is made.
Alice in Dairyland is a full-time public relations employee of DATCP and serves a one-year contract term. The selected 65th Alice in Dairyland will begin her duties on June 4 traveling Wisconsin to promote agriculture through speeches, media interviews and classroom presentations.
For more information on the 65th Alice in Dairyland Finals, visit http://www.aliceindairyland.com. You can also connect with DATCP on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/widatcp or Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/widatcp.
