Here come the cows

in the streets and just see people smiling, see your neighbors.It's what Brattleboro's all about, about community."
Munzing said her favorite piece this year was the celebration ofwomen in agriculture at the Latchis Theater at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
"It is, for me, the anchor, or why we do it all. The number ofwomen in agriculture is rising. There are more women in agricultureenterpreneurship than ever before. We're paying homage."
The theme this year will focus several events around living green,simple steps everyone can take to protect the environment, withfloats in the parade and booths at the Dairy Fest highlighting themessage.
The Green Expo, sponsored by Aubuchon Hardware, will featureroughly 30 exhibits on the common also at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
There will also be a chance to test drive hybrid cars on the commonat 5 p.m. Friday night.
"We chose 'Live Green!' as the theme for this year's agriculturalcelebration," said local farmer Helen Robb, "because when it comesto slowing down global climate change, we've all got to do ourpart. The Strolling of the Heifers Parade & Festival offer anunparalleled opportunity to educate the public about how they canhelp the environment."
Two new events this year include the Miss VerMOOOOnt BeautyPageant, sponsored by Aubuchon Hardware on the common, emceed byJoan Rivers look-a-like Nan Mann, who will interview the bovinebeauties before they are awarded titles such as "Most Congenial"and "Most Beautiful."
Roger Allbee, the state commissioner of agriculture; Rick Levitre,the associate dean of UVM Extension and Bill Aubuchon, of AubuchonHardware, will judge the heifers.
Directly after this, Allbee, Levitre and Windham Foundation CEOJohn Bramley will face off against Sen. Bernie Sanders in theCelebrity Milking Contest. Sanders has competed every year and isMunzing's guess for the winner, but first-timers could surprise.
Munzing said the contest is one of the most popular events of theday. "It's bringing the farm to the folks. Many haven't even seenhow a cow is milked."
The day will also include the Livestock Children Literature TentSaturday, with published children's authors reading storiesfeaturing animals with real-life examples on display andactivities.
Munzing said this was very exciting for her as an educator. "It'svery difficult these days with all the interactive thingsstimulating them. I thought it'd be a great chance to bringliterature back into it."
The event serves two purposes, Munzing said: To promote awarenessabout the importance of agriculture and to raise funds for theHeifers Educational Fund, which awarded $25,000 in grants to localschools for projects that focus on sustainable agriculture andraising environmental awareness this year.
Over the past seven years, the nonprofit has distributed over$125,000 in funding to area schools and organizations.
Events also include:
* The Zabap, Afro-Caribbean Avant-Garde Jazz performance Friday at9 p.m., at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden,
* the great "Moo-off Contest" Saturday at 11 a.m.,
* the Children's Entertainment Tent,
* the Best Chefs Pavilion,
* the regular Farmers' Market 9 a.m., on Route 9 in WestBrattleboro,
* a book sale at the Brooks Memorial Library 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.,
* a vagabond soul performance at the Robert H. Gibson River Gardenat 3:30 p.m.,
* the Vermont wine and cheese tasting at Windham Wines at 4 p.m.
* and the community contra dance at the Shriner's Hall from6:30-9:30 p.m.
For a full schedule and other information, go to the event's Website, www.strollingoftheheifers.com .
Also, organizers remind people to leave their dogs at home to makethe weekend a safe and fun time for all.
Nicole Orne can be reached at norne@reformer.com or 802-254-2311, ext. 277.