The Harrisburg Area YMCA is soaking up the last days of summer with the YMCA Milkshake Mile Presented by PA Dairymen’s Association. Held at Harrisburg Area Community College’s Harrisburg campus on Saturday, August 22, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, this event blends family fun and fresh milkshakes into a memorable back-to-school celebration.
The PA Dairymen’s Association is the oldest dairy group in Pennsylvania, serving iconic milkshakes at the PA Farm Show since 1953 while also giving back to local organizations, corporate partners, and food banks since 2015.
“The PA Dairymen’s Association is proud to once again be the title sponsor of the YMCA Milkshake Mile,” said Dave Smith, Executive Director of the PA Dairymen’s Association. “We love partnering with the YMCA to bring the community together for a fun event that promotes health and supports the important programs they provide throughout our region.”
About the Race
The YMCA Milkshake Mile Presented by PA Dairymen’s Association features a one-mile course around HACC’s Harrisburg campus. The race will kick off with a fun run/walk with a rolling start at 10:00 AM. Age-group heats will begin at 10:50 AM, leading up to the last Milkshake Mile Relay at 11:50 AM.
All participants will receive a commemorative race shirt, race bib, and post-race milkshake (vanilla, chocolate, or twist) from the PA Dairymen’s Association. The top three finishers in each age group will also receive a unique LEGO trophy designed to resemble a milkshake.
“We’re excited to build on the success of last year’s event by expanding our race-day activities and offering even more opportunities to support local students and families,” said David Ozmore, President and CEO of the Harrisburg Area YMCA. “Events like the Milkshake Mile reflect what the Y is about—strengthening our community, bringing people together, and inspiring healthy habits.”
Race-Day Activities
After finishing the race, participants can enjoy family-friendly activities in the Kids Zone and an assortment of free back-to-school giveaways:
- Book giveaway: New and gently used books for readers ages 0–16 will be available for youth participants to take home.
- Bike giveaway: Thanks to community partnerships with Can’d Aid, Magnum, and The GIANT Company, two new youth bikes will be raffled off. Raffle tickets are reserved for kids ages 5–9 in need of a bike.
- Backpack giveaway: There will be a backpack giveaway station set up on race day. The first 200 youth registrants will receive a backpack to use for the new school year. Kids will collect a backpack from the station then fill it with school supplies by selecting a notebook, pencil, water bottle sticker, keychain, and several books.
How Race Day Makes A Difference
All proceeds from the YMCA Milkshake Mile Presented by PA Dairymen’s Association benefit the Friendship YMCA Impact Fund, helping to ensure that everyone in the community has access to YMCA programs and services, regardless of financial circumstances.
Where to Find Additional Info The Harrisburg YMCA Race Series Website: h