COLUMBUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—As the summer heat intensifies, the Ohio State Fair offers a cool and creamy respite. Over a ton of butter has been delivered to the Ohio State fairgrounds, marking the commencement of the 2024 butter cow and calf sculptures, along with other surprise sculptures, starting Monday, July 8.
The sculpting process begins with the construction of wooden and steel frames to support the butter’s weight. The butter, initially in 55-pound blocks, is sliced into manageable loaves and layered onto the frames. After hours of molding and smoothing in a 46-degree cooler, each sculpture starts to form, with fine details added last.
The American Dairy Association Mideast, representing Ohio’s dairy farmers, selects an annual theme for the butter display that is non-political, non-controversial, and appeals to a broad audience. The 2023 display, which celebrated Ohio’s rich history of innovation, required 2,000 pounds of butter and approximately 400 hours to complete. It featured notable Ohio inventors and their groundbreaking inventions, including Thomas Edison with a light bulb and a phonograph, Garrett Morgan with a three-position traffic signal, Josephine Cochrane with a hand-powered dishwasher, and James Spangler with a portable vacuum cleaner, alongside the traditional cow and calf.
Attracting more than 500,000 visitors each year, the butter display is one of the Ohio State Fair’s oldest traditions. The theme remains a secret until just before the fair gates open, reflecting positive ideals in Ohio for over 60 years. Several exhibits have gained national media attention due to their universal appeal.
Located in the Dairy Products Building at the Ohio Expo Center, the home of the Ohio State Fair, the display is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Visitors can enjoy a variety of Ohio-produced dairy foods, including ice cream, milkshakes, cheese sandwiches, and milk. The fair will run from Wednesday, July 24, through Sunday, August 4.
Sponsored by the American Dairy Association Mideast, the butter sculpture display and the Dairy Products Building are part of Ohio’s dairy-farmer-funded marketing and promotion program, serving about 1,400 Ohio dairy farms. For more information, visit drink-milk.com.