At the Illinois State Fairgrounds, a whimsical creation has taken center stage in the Dairy Building. Governor JB Pritzker and fair officials unveiled the 2024 Butter Cow sculpture, crafted by artisan Sarah Pratt. This year’s design charmingly depicts a young girl balancing a towering seven-scoop ice cream cone. Themed ‘It’s Showtime!’, the sculpture embodies the fair’s focus on whimsy and family-friendly entertainment. The fair, promising a mix of tradition and fun, will run until August 18, offering visitors a glimpse into the creative and agricultural heritage of Illinois. See the butter cow winner here.
“As we worked together on the sculptures, our family fondly recalled a song we used to sing, ‘How many scoops do you want on your cone?’ when the girls were young,” said Sarah Pratt, 2024 Illinois State Fair Butter Cow Sculptor. “We enjoyed incorporating our family memories into new ones for this year’s fair visitors.”
“The butter cow is something we are proud to celebrate every summer as we gather here in Springfield, and this year’s family project exemplifies what the fair stands for,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This year’s fair theme, ‘It’s Showtime!’ honors the state fair’s function as a place for Illinoisans across the state to come together and see the best our state has to offer—including our own local celebrity, the butter cow herself.”
“Visiting the butter cow is a tradition for families at the Illinois State Fair,” said Jerry Costello II, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. “While the cow remains consistent, the creative new twists each year keep the tradition fresh. The little girl with the towering ice cream cone is the perfect reminder to grab a cool treat while you’re in the Dairy Building.”
