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Official Unveiling of 2016 Illinois State Fair Butter Cow

The ever-popular butter cow will be unveiled Thursday, August 11 at 3:00 p.m. in the Dairy Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Illinois Agriculture Director Raymond Poe, State Fair Manager Kevin Gordon, Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Abby Foster and Dairy Building superintendent Marla Behrends are scheduled to attend the ceremony.  Dairy refreshments will be served.

“The Butter Cow has been a landmark at the Illinois State Fair for more than 90 years,” said Illinois Ag Director Raymond Poe. “It is the signature piece of the Dairy Building, and one of the most photographed images on the state fairgrounds during the Fair. We are extremely proud of our partnership with the Midwest Dairy Association, which allows us to keep this long-standing tradition alive at the Illinois State Fair.

This year, the butter cow has a new sculptor, Sarah Pratt.  Pratt is well recognized for her work at the Iowa State Fair, where she has worked since 2006.

The 2016 Illinois State Fair will be held Aug. 11 – 21.  For more information, go online to www.illinois.gov/statefair.

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