Kick off summer with Dairy Days Dash

LUXEMBURG – The 17th annual Dairy Days Dash 5K run/walk, a celebration of June Dairy Month, will begin at 8 a.m. next Saturday, June 7 at the Community Center. This year, the chamber expects 200-300 participants.

The Dash, now a staple celebration in the community, is organized by the Luxemburg Area Chamber of Commerce and raises funds for different causes each year.

The event strives to welcome all participants, whether they be frequent 5K runners, a family with young children or seniors. Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome.

“It’s a very easy course, very family friendly. We try to encourage a lot of families, children,” Chamber member Andrea Dalebroux said.

The course has not changed since the 5K began 17 years ago, running from the community center through downtown Luxemburg, so residents and participants alike know what to expect.

“We’ve always had all ages, so it’s nice to see the families of all generations coming out to do their run,” Dalebroux said.

Dalebroux and three others began the Luxemburg Dairy Days Dash 17 years ago; Susan Heim, Theresa Strand and Chris Warber.To get the idea off the ground, the group of four brought it to the chamber.

“We had the thought in mind, and then we ran it by the chamber,” she said. ”Then we kind of did all the legwork when they thought it was a good idea.”

Dalebroux said the composition of the group of volunteers has changed over the years and now comprises five people. She said she recruits other board members, who have seen the positive impact the 5K has each year.

The Dairy Days Dash doesn’t just bring the community together to celebrate June Dairy Month, however.

“Every year we pick a new charity partner, and we’ve tried to award the funds to different organizations every year to support different community not-for-profit organizations,” Dalebroux said.

This year’s charity partner is the Kewaunee County Suicide Prevention Outreach.

“Each year, we ask for nominations, and we look at their mission and what their funds go to, and we just felt this was a very worthwhile organization that’s much needed in the community,” she said.

Some of the groups most vulnerable to suicide include veterans and teenagers, who are vital members of the community. One in five teens and young adults live with a mental health condition. On average, half of mental health conditions are developed by age 14 and three-quarters are by the age of 24. According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, veteran suicide rates in Wisconsin are significantly higher than the national general population.
Contact the 24-hour Crisis Line by calling (920) 255-1645.

“We have different community businesses that help with the sponsorship that helps make the run possible. So we really appreciate their support and rely on their generosity to make the donation to the various charities,” Dalebroux said.

With any 5K event, there comes an inherent risk, but the Dairy Days Dash hasn’t had an incident in its almost two-decade history.

“We have a first responder and the police are along the route, so we always make sure that they’re ready, and thankfully, we’ve been a very safe event,” Dalebroux said

To purchase tickets before the event, visit www.runsignup.com/Race/WI/Luxemburg/JuneDairyRun. Tickets are also available for purchase at the beginning of the run.

Participants will be rewarded with a celebration of dairy at the finish line, and top runners will receive rewards.

“There will be food for the runners, we have drinks and, since it is the Dairy Days Dash, we have white and chocolate milk and ice cream.”

There will also be dairy calves for children and adults alike to pet, brought by Algoma farm Ebert Enterprises.

“It’s been a very rewarding experience,” Dalebroux said. “I enjoy seeing the same families come out year to year, and always love to see new participants. It’s always a fun time to see the excitement, especially with the kids and achieving their goals and having fun doing a run and enjoying some treats afterwards.”

To sign up to volunteer for future dashes, fill out the contact form at www.luxemburgchamber.com/dairy-days-dash/.