Dakin Dairy Farms Harvest Festival Returns to Myakka City for Three Weekends of Family Fun
Fall fun is returning to East Manatee County as Dakin Dairy Farms prepares to welcome families to its third annual Harvest Festival in Myakka City.
The 2026 festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on October 10–11, October 17–18 and October 24–25. The working dairy farm will be transformed into a family-friendly fall destination filled with farm animals, live entertainment, food, games and hands-on agricultural experiences.
Located at 30771 Betts Road in Myakka City, Dakin Dairy Farms gives visitors an opportunity to leave the city behind and experience an important part of Florida’s agricultural heritage.
Corn Mazes, Calf Cuddling and Cow Feeding
The Harvest Festival combines traditional autumn attractions with experiences visitors can only find on a working dairy farm.
Scheduled activities include a corn maze, calf cuddling, an animal barn, live cow-milking demonstrations, a children’s playground, inflatable bounce houses and a “touch a tractor” area.
One of the festival’s signature attractions is the hayride cow-feeding experience. Guests will ride into the pasture, see the farm’s Holstein cows up close and have an opportunity to feed them.
Visitors can also climb aboard the Moo Train for a ride around the festival grounds.
Among the other announced attractions are U-pick sunflowers, children’s ATVs and lawn mower racing. Availability may vary by date and could be affected by weather, crop conditions or the daily festival schedule.
Fire the Pumpkin Cannon and Apple Launchers
Festival guests looking for something a little more adventurous can test their aim with the farm’s pumpkin cannon and apple launchers.
Participants will be able to pull the trigger on the apple launchers and operate the lever that sends pumpkins flying toward designated targets. These unusual attractions have become some of the festival’s most popular activities.
Families should be prepared for the noise generated by the launchers, especially when attending with very young children or anyone sensitive to loud sounds.
Live Music, Food Trucks and Local Vendors
Live bands are scheduled to perform each day of the festival, providing a soundtrack for a full day on the farm. The individual band schedule may vary throughout the three weekends, so guests should check the Dakin Dairy Farms Facebook page for performance announcements and last-minute updates.
Food trucks will offer a selection of meals, snacks and refreshments. Local craft and merchandise vendors will also be stationed throughout the festival, giving visitors an opportunity to support area businesses.
Guests may want to arrive hungry because the farm’s Dakin Moofè and Farm Market will remain open during the festival. The market serves local ice cream and specialty milkshakes and sells Dakin milk, cheese curds and other farm products.
A Look at One of Florida’s Remaining Family Dairy Farms
The Harvest Festival is more than a collection of seasonal attractions. It also introduces children and adults to the work involved in producing food locally.
The Dakin family has been involved in dairy farming in Manatee County since 1973. In spring 2024, brothers Jason, Garrett, Grant and Ethan Dakin purchased the Myakka City operation from their uncle, Jerry Dakin, continuing the family’s multigenerational agricultural tradition.
Milk is produced, processed and bottled at the Myakka City farm, allowing the operation to keep much of the production process local. Dakin also produces chocolate and strawberry milk, buttermilk, heavy cream, half-and-half and several varieties of cheese curds.
The live milking demonstrations and pasture experiences give festival visitors a closer look at where milk comes from and how dairy farmers care for their animals.
What Visitors Should Know
The festival will take place outdoors on an active farm. Guests should wear comfortable closed-toe shoes that can handle dirt, grass or mud. Sunscreen, hats and refillable water bottles are also recommended for warm October afternoons.
Some activities may require an additional charge beyond general admission. Food, beverages, farm-market products, vendor merchandise, U-pick flowers and selected attractions may not be included in the admission price.
Before traveling to Myakka City, visitors should confirm admission prices, ticket availability, weather policies and the day’s entertainment schedule directly with the farm. Third-party event calendars currently list admission at $20 per person, with children age 5 and younger admitted free, as well as free parking. Because those details are not stated on the farm’s current festival webpage, guests should verify them before attending.
2026 Dakin Dairy Harvest Festival Details
Dates: October 10–11, October 17–18 and October 24–25, 2026
Hours: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: Dakin Dairy Farms, 30771 Betts Road, Myakka City, FL 34251
Telephone: 941-322-2802
Festival information: Dakin Dairy Harvest Festival
Farm website: DakinDairyFarms.com
Facebook updates: Dakin Dairy Farms on Facebook
State event listing: Visit Florida festival listing
Activities and schedules are subject to change because of weather, crop conditions and farm operations. Guests should check with Dakin Dairy Farms shortly before their visit.
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