By Jamie Martin
A beloved New York State Fair highlight returns with fresh charm: the 57th Annual American Dairy Association North East Butter Sculpture. Titled Dairy For Good Nourish Grow Thrive, the display honors dairy’s role across life’s stages and nods to the 125th anniversary of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by New York author L. Frank Baum.
The scene invites viewers to follow a winding path while a whimsical hot air balloon marked “Dairy Defies Gravity” rises above. Along the route, three figures show dairy in action: a mother-to-be toasting with milk, a six-month-old tasting yogurt, and a toddler smiling with a bite of cheese.
Leaders across the dairy community applauded the theme. "This year's butter sculpture beautifully showcases the power of dairy nutrition," said John Chrisman, CEO of American Dairy Association North East. "The craftsmanship captures not just a scene, but a story — from nourishing mothers and helping babies grow to supporting thriving toddlers, dairy provides essential nutrients every step of the journey."
Le Roy dairy farmer Jaime Mowry called it a fun way to share healthy habits with families. State Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball emphasized how the exhibit spotlights hardworking farm families and the nutrients milk provides. Wegmans serves as sponsor.
The artistry is the work of Jim Victor and Marie Pelton of Pennsylvania, who shaped more than 800 pounds of butter from O-AT-KA Milk Products into detailed characters and textures during an 11-day build. For the fourth consecutive year, selective color accents add depth and visual interest.
Environmental stewardship remains central to the tradition. When The Fair ends, the butter will go to Noblehurst Farms in Linwood for recycling into renewable energy. Marking a decade of this effort, the farm has diverted roughly four tons of butter from landfills, reducing emissions and generating enough energy to power a home for about a month.
"Wegmans is proud to sponsor this year's Butter Sculpture, which is such an integral part of the New York State Fair," said Evelyn Ingram, Director of Community Relations at Wegmans Food Markets. "We are delighted to once again be a participant in this long-standing tradition."
Fairgoers can view the sculpture all fair long in the Dairy Products Building, explore interactive dairy education, and learn more about local farms and foods. Visitors can also meet New York State Dairy Ambassadors, discover farm-to-table stories, and sample delicious dairy products that highlight freshness, safety, and quality from local processors.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-steve-baccon
Categories: National