Illinois State Fair Butter Cow unveiled
Wednesday, Aug 10, 2022 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Press release…
Illinois State Fair officials unveiled the treasured Butter Cow today in the Dairy Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Using the theme “Grow with Us,” sculptor Sarah Pratt’s creation brings together the interaction between the farmer, the land, and the animal. The sculpture features the iconic butter cow with a farmer kneeling beside her to tend to the land.
“I really connected with the theme ‘Grow with Us,’ said Sarah Pratt, 2022 Illinois State Fair Butter Cow Sculptor. “This design was personal for me. Our family just moved to a home with acreage and started growing our own garden. Through that experience, I was inspired to include a farmer growing on the land that in turns allows the cow to grow.”
“For a lot of families, it is not a trip to the Illinois State Fair unless they see the iconic butter cow,” said Illinois Agriculture Director, Jerry Costello II. “I am amazed by the thought and detail that is put into this buttery creation ever year.”
“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. “The 2022 butter cow follows this year’s fair theme of ‘Grow with Us.’ We hope that State Fair visitors come to the Dairy Building to view the butter cow and celebrate the Illinois dairy industry.”
As in years past, 13 hearts have been hidden into the display to signify the 13 essential nutrients found naturally in milk.
The iconic sculpture will remain on display in the Dairy Building for the duration of the fair and is viewable live via the Butter Cow webcam.
The webcam doesn’t appear to be working as I write this, so here’s a first look…
…Adding… The webcam is working now.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 3:52 pm:
=== “Grow with Us,” ===
That much butter will certainly make you grow. In their press spread, they didn’t mention the flower. Is that a Sunflower to symbolize support for Ukraine or some udder reason?
- rabble - Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 4:01 pm:
Udderly magnificent
- fs - Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 4:11 pm:
Years ago I was informed that the Butter Cow was butter plastered onto a wire form and not carved from a giant solid block of butter. I was udderly disappointed.
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 4:11 pm:
Norseman- Sunflowers can create better butter, but(ter) it’s better if it’s representative of support for Ukraine. https://tinyurl.com/2n58a55u
- Amalia - Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 4:17 pm:
it’s so warm and the news is so filled with popcorn events that I’m thinking of melting butter for the popcorn.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 4:54 pm:
That’s a lot of cow-lesterol.
- Cornerfield - Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 5:28 pm:
Sweet. Nice job
- sal-says - Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 5:32 pm:
== webcam is working now ==
530pm, 8/10/2022. Uhhh…..No.
- danray - Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 5:40 pm:
mmmmm, buttery delicious popcorn.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 6:56 pm:
I really don’t want to body shame the butter cow, but those square hips make her appear malnourished.
- Candy Dogood - Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 7:14 pm:
Butter cow fans may also enjoy the movie Butter which centers the high stakes butter sculpting field.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butter_(2011_film)
- FormerParatrooper - Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 9:21 pm:
My arteries hardened just looking.
- FormerParatrooper - Wednesday, Aug 10, 22 @ 9:22 pm:
My arteries hardened just looking.
- The Dude - Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 5:44 am:
The back of the cow looks like original Nintendo character. Like blocky and squared.