Iowa State Fair
One of the country’s oldest and largest agricultural and industrial shows, the Iowa State Fair is dedicated to celebrating the state’s great agricultural heritage. Fairgoers enjoy incredible entertainment across several stages, thrilling amusement rides, delicious foods, and more. They also have several unique opportunities to learn more about dairy farmers and their dedication to providing quality care for their cows, communities, and the planet. Fairgoers can meet the iconic Iowa Dairy Princess and Princess Alternate, check out the life-size cow carved of butter, enjoy tasty frozen yogurt and ice cream, and more!
The first Iowa State Fair Butter Cow was carved in 1911 by J.K. Daniels. In 1960, Norma “Duffy” Lyon of Toledo, IA, took over the sculpting tools, becoming the fourth person and the first woman to sculpt the Fair’s butter cow. After 15 years of apprenticing with Duffy, West Des Moines resident Sarah Pratt took over sculpting in 2005.
The Butter Cow starts first with a frame made of wood, metal, wire, and steel mesh, upon which about 600 pounds of low moisture, pure cream Iowa butter is layered on. Once finished, the life-size Butter Cow emerges, measuring about 5.5 feet high and 8.5 feet long. After the fair concludes, the butter is recycled and reused for up to 10 years.
Fun Fact: The Butter Cow could butter about 19,200 slices of toast and would take an average person two lifetimes to consume!
Fairgoers can see the Butter Cow and its companion sculptures in the John Deere Agriculture Building from 9 AM – 8 PM during the fair.
To learn more about the butter cow, including companion sculptures by year, please click here.