BAZETTA — The Dairy Bar at the Trumbull County Fair continues to be a beloved fixture, dishing out hand-scooped milkshakes and fostering community ties since its inception in the 1950s.

Operated by the Trumbull County Holstein Breeders Club, with roots tied to the Guernsey and Holstein clubs, the Dairy Bar remains a volunteer-driven operation that channels all proceeds back into the fairgrounds to support local youth and 4-H programs.

Kaitlyn Camp, a 10-year volunteer who helps oversee the Dairy Bar, described the operation as a “labor of love.”

We’re completely volunteer-run, and it’s been that way since the 1950s,” Camp said. “All our money goes back to the fairgrounds. We’ve funded hog pens, sale barn TVs and scholarships for kids.”

The Dairy Bar partners with Austintown Dairy, sourcing local products to craft its signature thick milkshakes, priced at $4 — one of the most affordable treats at the fairgrounds.

The process is hands-on, with volunteers scooping hard ice cream, adding shake mix and blending each order individually.

“Our milkshakes are a lot thicker because we take the time to do it ourselves,” Camp said. “We haven’t gone to a machine — it’s all about consistency and quality.”

A sign inside the bar, noting its founding by Harry Nelson and Ralph Butler, outlines its deep-rooted history, with the Butler family still involved today.

Volunteers, ranging from 4-H members to community groups, all work in four-hour shifts.

Tara Barnard, a Bristol resident and secretary at Bristol Schools, is in her second year volunteering alongside her husband, children, Sophie, 9, and Cooper, 12, and other locals.

“It feels good to make money for the dairy barn and give back,” Barnard said. “We always bought milkshakes, but now it’s fun to make them.”

She emphasized the importance of teaching her children the value of community service, noting, “It’s nice to see friends and family come up to support the cause.”

Camp said the Dairy Bar usually sees a surge in customers during high-energy fair events like tractor pulls and demolition derbies, with lines forming for the creamy treats. “You’ll see a sea of people waiting for a milkshake,” Camp said.

The operation welcomes volunteers from all backgrounds, including Girl Scout troops and church groups, with updates posted on their Facebook page.