Bongards' Creameries cow

Bonnie came much later. An explosion in December 1969 destroyed the cheese-wrapping building, the warehouse and the retail store, and a new store was built in 1970. The Minnesota Historical Society's MNopedia says the cooperative bought a large fiberglass cow from a company in Sparta, Wisconsin, in October 1970, and cites a Waconia Patriot report of 17 October 1970. Bongards says the cow was placed in front of the corporate offices and that employees named her Bonnie. The company adds that she appeared in the 1999 film Drop Dead Gorgeous and was moved to her current location in 2008.

Visitors have long come for the picture. MNopedia notes that tourists buy milk products and souvenirs at the creamery store and have their photographs taken with the cow. Bongards' website invites people to meet Bonnie at the retail store, which sells dairy products, grocery items and gifts, along with coffee, warm rolls, hot sandwiches and ice cream. In 2026 the site listed hours of 6:30 am to 7 pm on weekdays and 9 am to 5 pm on weekends, so it is worth checking before a special trip.