Despite the cancellation of the 2020 New York State Fair, American Dairy Association North East is teaming up with the New York State Fair to bring this year’s annual butter sculpture to life. A long-standing tradition and one of the most recognizable attractions of the New York State Fair, the 800-pound butter sculpture will officially be unveiled on Tuesday, September 1, during a livestream at 10 a.m. on American Dairy Association North East’s Facebook page.
“Most people are looking for some normalcy during this time of uncertainty. So, we are happy to announce that there will be a butter sculpture this year,” said dairy farmer Lynn Murray of Murcrest Farms in Copenhagen, New York. “It’s unfortunate that annual Fair enthusiasts won’t be able to experience the 52nd annual butter sculpture in person, but everyone will be able to view this year’s sculpture virtually. We are thrilled to carry on the butter sculpture tradition and to represent the more than 3,800 dairy farmers throughout New York State.”
The sculptor duo of Jim Victor and Marie Pelton, who have created every butter sculpture at the New York State Fair since 2003, will construct this year’s sculpture in approximately 10 days.
Great New York State Fair Director Troy Waffner said, “We know how much the Fair means to New Yorkers and while we’re busy planning the greatest Fair in our history for 2021, we are grateful to our longtime partners at American Dairy Association North East for creating an important part of the Fair in a difficult year.”
Long after the sculpture is deconstructed, it will continue to “give back” to the community. The “scrap butter” used for the sculpture—which means it’s unsuitable for sale or consumption—will be transported to a local dairy farm where it will be recycled in a methane digester to create electricity.
