This year’s Iowa State Fair marks the 100th anniversary of its famous butter cow sculpture. Fair CEO Gary Slater says several events and contests are planned to celebrate the occasion.
“The butter cow has become pretty much the icon of the Iowa State Fair itself throughout the country,” Slater said. Around 60 concrete cows, painted and dressed by Iowans, are scattered around the fairgrounds in Des Moines. Judges will award prizes in categories from professional to novice during the opening ceremonies for the Fair Thursday morning.
Another contest will be held each day during the Fair at 4 p.m. on the Bill Riley Stage. Slater says teams of two to four people will receive a 50 pound block of butter and have 30 minutes to create a sculpture of their choice.
Winning sculptures will be displayed alongside the world famous butter cow in the Agriculture Building. Contestants for the “battle of the butter” competition have already been selected. The Iowa State Fair opens Thursday and runs through August 21st.
By Dennis Morrice, KLEM, LeMars