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Breakfast is a hit again
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James Johnson of New Glarus watches as his 16-month-old daughter Abbigail sits on a tractor Saturday at the Green County Breakfast on the Farm. This was Johnson's first time at the event, and he said he expects to return next year. (Times photo: Marissa Weiher)
BROOKLYN - Thousands of people from across Wisconsin and beyond converged for a few hours Saturday for breakfast and entertainment on a Town of Brooklyn farm.

Green County's 38th annual Breakfast on the Farm took place Saturday on Rollin' Green Dairy Farm, owned and operated by the McNeely family of Brooklyn.

Sue Hellenbrand, co-chair of the of the Green County Ag Chest's Breakfast on the Farm Committee, said the event was pushing 5,000 attendees near the end.

"The location's closer to Dane County, so we're seeing a lot more guests from around there," Hellenbrand said.

Guests were treated to a meal of scrambled eggs, sausages and coffee cake, served with milk and orange juice.

Hellenbrand said the event shipped in 1,600 pounds of pork and more than 10,000 eggs to feed the guests.

Despite the quantity of guests, lines moved briskly throughout the event.

"I thought it would be a really long day," said Lake Mills resident Stephanie Pederson, who attended with her family. "But it was really quick."

Pederson said she attends farm breakfasts in Green County every year because her husband, a Monroe native, grew up with similar events.

"The kids love it," Pederson said, as her two young sons ran through a field. "They just love tractors and cows."

In addition to a meal, attendees could experience live music, visit an education station, pet and feed calves and board antique tractors.

First-time guest and New Glarus resident James Johnson thought the event was "really neat," as his 16-month-old daughter Abbigail sat behind the wheel of a John Deere tractor.

"She really just likes the balloons," Johnson said, although he added that he would attend similar events in the future, as his eldest daughter hopes to become the New Glarus Dairy Queen.

The Green County Community Dairy Queens volunteered at the breakfast, with Monroe Dairy Queen Brielle Hayden serving milk to guests.

Hayden said she was glad the weather remained sunny and temperate after several days of intermittent showers.

Acknowledging the beautiful weather was a common sentiment among guests, as well as the view of the rolling hills that surround the farm.

Verona resident Kim Steele traveled to the event from Verona for "a fun weekend with her family."

"There's a beautiful countryside, good food, live music - what's not to like?" Steele said.

A family from Waupaca drove more than two hours to attend. Trisha Everson said she first attended a farm breakfast while she was dating her now husband and has tried to attend at least one per year ever since.

"Soren really loves cheese, and "Old MacDonald" is his favorite song," Everson said of her 2-year-old son. "He sang E-I-E-I-O all the way here."

"They've done a great job here," said Beloit resident Alissa Grenawalt, who attends the event every year with her family. "The education tents are a good addition."

Despite the scale of the event, it went off without a hitch, reported Jeff McNeely, one of the owners of Rollin' Green farm.

"It's been a great morning," McNeeley said. "The weather's cooperating for, I think, the first time this week, and it seems like a good turnout."

"This year has been excellent," Hellenbrand said. "Just look around you."