* Press release…
llinois State Fair officials unveiled the treasured Butter Cow Wednesday in the Dairy Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the unofficial icon, which is one of the most photographed subjects at the fair.
The 2021 Butter Cow features the Dairy Building theme “Embracing Tradition” and has been constructed to signify the 13 essential nutrients found naturally in milk, by having 13 hearts hidden into the mold. Along with the heart the cow features a young exhibitor embracing the animal.
“After a year where the world stopped, I felt including an exhibitor embracing the cow signifies the joy our youth are experiencing as they return to the fair,” said Sarah Pratt, 2021 Illinois State Fair Butter Cow Sculptor. “You only get one chance to celebrate the 100th Anniversary and hope this year’s Butter Cow will invoke those feelings of nostalgia people have experienced for generations.”
“For a lot of families, it is a picture they take year after year,” said Illinois Agriculture Director, Jerry Costello II. “To have such an iconic stop at the Illinois State Fair for 100 years is priceless.”
“Illinois Dairy Farmers are proud to carry on the tradition of the iconic butter cow at the Illinois State Fair,” said Kendra Anderson, Midwest Dairy Farmer Relations Manager. “We are especially delighted that the 2021 butter cow celebrates the return of youth exhibitors to the show ring and the other great traditions that surround the Illinois State Fair.”
The iconic sculpture will remain on display in the Dairy Building for the duration of the fair and be viewable live via the Butter Cow webcam.
The webcam is here.
* Pics…
* Meanwhile…
Mitigations in place at the fair include: mask mandates at indoor venues, and proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for ticketholders in the grandstand track. The Illinois Department of Public Health will have six vaccination sites at the fairgrounds.
Asked, “Should we even be here?” Pritzker responded that the conditions in 2021 aren’t comparable to 2020, when the fair was canceled.
“The big difference is we have vaccines,” the governor said, “and the vaccines work.”
* And this is from the Sun-Times story on Pritzker not attending the Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association’s indoor brunch on Governor’s Day…
State Senate President Don Harmon plans to attend and speak at the brunch, but a spokesman for the Senate Democratic leader didn’t respond to a question about whether the Oak Park Democrat will attend Pritzker’s event.
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch will be out of town, a spokesman for the Hillside Democrat said.
Most candidates running to succeed outgoing Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White still plan to attend the county chairs’ brunch as well as host other events.
- Give Me A Break - Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 8:43 am:
I’m so old I remember the “political days” at the State Fair as mandatory for political types (as Rich says, Hacks in the Back) and any candidate running for most anything.
Those were losing their luster after Rod’s first year in office and really went downhill when the Rod vs the Madigans fight got bad.
And the really old timers will talk about he days Mayor Daly would bring railcars full of Dems down for the State Fair Rally.
- Leslie K - Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 8:44 am:
Happy anniversary to the Butter Cow [exclamation point]. Definitely a fun tradition.
- Scott Cross for President - Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 9:21 am:
#ButterCow4Life
Heading to Kids Day on Saturday with the family. Anyone know if there was storm damage ?
- EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham - Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 9:24 am:
==Those were losing their luster after Rod’s first year in office and really went downhill when the Rod vs the Madigans fight got bad.==
And need we say more about Governor’s Day 2007 (at the conclusion of “Overtime in Hell”). Blago going full Elvis and singing “I can’t stop thinking about Healthcare, Healthcare, Healthcare.”
- cermak_rd - Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 9:26 am:
Butter cow sounds lovely this year. I wonder if it is harder or easier to sculpt butter as compared to wood? I have become a real almond milk fan though due to the higher carbs in milk.
- EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham - Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 9:38 am:
==And need we say more about Governor’s Day 2007 (at the conclusion of “Overtime in Hell”). Blago going full Elvis and singing “I can’t stop thinking about Healthcare, Healthcare, Healthcare.”==
And need I also say more about Governor’s Day during the peak of Quinn’s battles with AFSCME over raises, pensions, and the 2012-13 contract battle. Culminating in the massive AFSCME rally and boo-fest at 2012 Governor’s Day.
- Give Me A Break - Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 10:12 am:
That stunt AFSCME pulled on Gov’s Day on the director’s lawn during the contract battle was something I reminded their members about during the Rauner years. And I reminded them every chance I got.
- EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham - Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 10:18 am:
==That stunt AFSCME pulled on Gov’s Day on the director’s lawn during the contract battle was something I reminded their members about during the Rauner years. And I reminded them every chance I got.==
This is the CapFax coverage of the AFSCME protest at 2012 Governor’s Day:
https://capitolfax.com/2012/08/15/protests-begin/
A reply that evening criticizing the protests turned out to be utterly prophetic during the Rauner years:
“- Fred - Wednesday, Aug 15, 12 @ 8:25 pm:
Today’s rally turned out to be an unfortunate event. AFSCME, careful what you wish for. . . .”
- Da big bad wolf - Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 10:20 am:
=== Butter cow sounds lovely this year. I wonder if it is harder or easier to sculpt butter as compared to wood?===
Butter doesn’t splinter.
- Seymourkid - Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 12:20 pm:
A visit to the butter cow and an chocolate ice cream at the Dairy building are one of the many great memories of my childhood visits to the State Fair.