Unveiling of the Butter Sculpture at NYS Fair Live: Weighing in at 800 pounds, today's event will uncover the hidden masterpiece.
The 57th annual American Dairy Association North East butter sculpture was unveiled today at the New York State Fairgrounds, showcasing the nourishing power of dairy through every stage of life. Titled "Dairy for Good: Nourish, Grow, Thrive", the sculpture is a celebration of the role of dairy in supporting growth and development, from pregnancy to early childhood.
The centerpiece of the sculpture is a hot air balloon marked with the phrase "Dairy Defies Gravity," symbolizing the uplifting power of dairy nutrition. Accompanying the balloon are butter figures depicting a pregnant woman, a six-month-old baby enjoying yogurt, and a toddler eating cheese. These figures illustrate dairy's role in nourishing and supporting growth from pregnancy through early childhood.
The butter sculpture weighs approximately 800 pounds and took approximately 11 days to complete. After the fair, the butter will be recycled into renewable energy.
The tradition of the butter sculpture at the New York State Fair began in 1970 with a sculpture titled "Dairy Princess and Butter Churn" by William Clements. Over the years, the sculptures have depicted various themes, from "Little Miss Muffet" in 1976 to "The Magic Cow" in 1977, "Kids on Skateboards" in 1978, "Disco Dancers" in 1979, and "Milk Run Marathoners" in 1980. They have also depicted historical events and figures, such as "The "Real" Seal" in 1981, "Dairy Do-Si-Do" in 1982, and "The Fitness Cycle" in 1983.
From 1987 to 1994, Raymond Mackintosh took over the creation of the butter sculptures, followed by Sharon BuMann from 1996 to 2002. Since 2003, the sculptors responsible for the butter sculpture have been Jim Victor and Marie Pelton, who created the butter sculpture for the New York State Fair in 2023 titled "Dairy Every Day is a Healthy Way - Keeping Kids' Health on Track." They have also created the sculpture for the upcoming year, titled "Dairy: Good for you. Good for the planet."
The unveiling of the butter sculpture took place at the Dairy Products Building, and no ticket was required to watch the live stream of the event. A spoiler warning was given for those who'd rather discover the sculpture in person when the fair opens the next day. Photos, videos, and the backstory of the butter sculpture will be shared after the unveiling.
[1] New York State Fair [2] American Dairy Association North East [3] Jim Victor and Marie Pelton [4] Butter sculpture recycling [5] Renewable energy from butter sculptures
