State Fair butter cow unveiled

‘Embracing Tradition’ theme highlights dairy nutrition

By PETER HANCOCK
Capitol News Illinois
phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com

SPRINGFIELD – The final preparation for the opening of the 2021 Illinois State Fair took place Wednesday with the traditional unveiling of the butter cow.

This year’s sculpture, which marks the 100^th anniversary of the fair’s butter cow, is entitled “Embracing Tradition.” It features a dairy farmer embracing a cow. Hidden within the sculpture are 13 hearts, signifying the 13 essential nutrients found naturally in milk.

“After a year where the world stopped, I felt including an exhibitor embracing the cow signifies the joy our youth are experiencing as they return to the fair,” butter cow sculptor Sarah Pratt, of Iowa, said in a news release. “You only get one chance to celebrate the 100th anniversary and I hope this year’s Butter Cow will invoke those feelings of nostalgia people have experienced for generations.”

Gov. JB Pritzker and First Lady MK Pritzker took part in the ceremony along with Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II, Midwest Dairy Association board member Donald Mackinson, and this year’s Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Kelsi Kessler.

“What an ‘udder’ delight to be here,” Kessler quipped before the unveiling. “With this year marking the 100^th anniversary of the unofficial trademark of the Illinois State Fair, you ‘butter’ believe that fairgoers are excited.”

The fair officially opens on Thursday. Entry gates open at 7 a.m. Pritzker and other state and local dignitaries will take part in a ribbon cutting ceremony at the main entrance at 3 p.m. That will be followed by the traditional Twilight Parade, scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government and distributed to more than 400 newspapers statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.

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This year's butter cow sculpture, by Iowa artist Sarah Pratt, is entitled "Embracing Tradition." It contains 13 hidden hearts that signify the 13 essential nutrients that occur naturally in milk. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock)

This year's butter cow sculpture, by artist Sarah Pratt, is entitled "Embracing Tradition." It contains 13 hidden hearts that signify the 13 essential nutrients that occur naturally in milk. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock)

Peter HancockPeter Hancock

Peter was one of the founding reporters with Capitol News Illinois. A native of the Kansas City area, he has degrees in political science and education from the University of Kansas.

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Full biography

Peter was one of the founding reporters with Capitol News Illinois. He came to Springfield after many years working in Topeka, Kansas, where he covered the Kansas statehouse and other beats. He began his reporting career in 1989 at a small county weekly newspaper and has worked in a variety of settings including both daily and nondaily newspapers, online media and public radio. A native of the Kansas City area, he has degrees in political science and education from the University of Kansas.

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