Illinois state fair sculpture more than just a butter cow
By Gregory Harutunian For Chronicle Media — August 23, 2015
The sculptor for this year’s butter cow was Sharon BuMann, a task she has undertaken for the last 13 years, not only in Illinois, but state fairs across the nation.
The 163rd edition of the Illinois State Fair has passed into history.
The fairgrounds are devoid of the carnival rides, occupied livestock pens, barking auctioneers and hog-callers, product information tents, and food vendors with such items as “alligator on a stick.”
Even the annual mainstay in the 112-year-old Dairy Building will has been carved down and carefully packed into containers for the trip to a Decatur, Ill.-based ice storage unit, until next year.
The estimated 600-800 pounds of butter that comprise the legendary Illinois State Fair Butter Cow will await its rebirth the following August, with a new design and sculpture.
“Some of the butter is more than five years old, and we recycle it for next year’s sculpture, along with new butter,” said Marla Behrends, the Midwest Dairy Association’s industry relations manager. “The attractions at our state fair’s Dairy Building are sponsored on behalf of the dairy farmers of Illinois. The Butter Cow is a big part of that promotion, literally.”
The sculptor for the ghee-related bovine is Sharon BuMann, a task she has undertaken for the last 13 years, not only in Illinois, but state fairs across the nation. BuMann, who hails from upper New York state, also announced that this would be her last summer plying her skills. She will retire this year, but plans to write a book on her butter cow adventures.
“This year’s butter cow was inspired by the 2015 Illinois State Fair’s theme, ‘Growing Illinois,’ and I get my inspiration from the family farm,” said BuMann. “This year, the sculpture is of a grandfather showing his granddaughter the farm. I like to add fun and excitement to the sculpture because it’s more than just a butter cow. It’s a butter sculpture.”
The unveiling ceremony Aug. 13 had the figures in a rough-hewn form. As a tribute to BuMann, she worked on carving the details each day, while the fair progressed. She said fairgoers would tap the glass, and mouth phrases like “Thank you,” and “We’ll miss you.”
“In past years, we used to let her carve during the fair, so everyone could see how she works,” said Behrends. “This being her final year, it was only fitting that she got the chance for people to say farewell to her, during the course of the fair. It was great that she was able to attend the press conference, and stay this time.”
The butter cow’s specific design varies from year to year, depending on the fair’s theme. The finished product is normally kept a secret, and under wraps, until the grand unveiling. Intricate carvings that evolve into a three-dimensional still life portrait, from a blob of butter, become the stuff of amazement, especially the smaller side items.
In 2012, portrayals included an agitated duck, a farm lady holding a pie, and of course, a Guernsey cow. In previous years, a family of skunks made an appearance for a “family tradition” theme, a cow in a cornfield highlighting a “cream of the crop” motif, and a wise owl in a tree representing “celebrate and educate” could be seen.
“Educate … that’s an important component,” said Behrends. “Milk production is what dairy farmers do, and what keeps us together in promoting the industry. The association covers a 10-state region within the Midwest including Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, and eastern Oklahoma. We want to promote the products, and use an integrated marketing strategy to create a demand, and also encompass the nutritional education elements.”
Historically, the first butter cow sculpture to ever make its appearance at a state fair was at the Ohio State Fair, in 1903. The Illinois State Fair counterpart celebrated its 93rd birthday, this year.
In other fair activities Aug. 16, the winner of the Hog-Calling Contest was a veteran of the event, Chris Karr, competing for the 24th year and notching his 10th win. His effort involved “whooping, calling,” and banging a pail. “The key to being a great hog caller is loving to do it, having a good voice, and clarity,” he said. “I also like getting the crowd excited, and involved in the competition.”
A related championship, the Husband-Calling Contest, was won by Bea Brennan of Paris, Ill. She had witnessed the 2014 tilts and told her husband that 2015 would be her debut. After practicing all the way to the Springfield fairgrounds, she bested six other ladies to take the top prize.
“My husband went along with everything, it takes two,” said Brennan, of her supportive spouse.
The late Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka was feted by state dignitaries and fair officials with the street formerly known as “Corn Dog Lane,” dedicated as “Judy Baar Topinka Lane,” in her honor.
“Judy loved the Illinois State Fair, loved the food, the atmosphere, and most importantly, the interaction with fairgoers,” said Rebecca Clark, the Illinois State Fair’s spokesperson. “Now, Judy will never be too far from all the action.”
The Aug. 18 Governor’s Sale of Champions raised $275,450 this year for junior exhibitors, and state 4-H and FFA youth education programs. Two records were broken starting with Dylan Mc Cafferty of Sherman, Ill., and his Grand Champion Barrow. It shattered the previous $25,000 record, and sold for $76,000.
Its purchaser, the CME Group, announced a $5,000 donation to each of the exhibitors at the Sale of Champions to attend the college of their choice.
The other record came with a big surprise for Taylor Donelson, and her Land of Lincoln Grand Champion Steer. The youngster likes to name her steers for country music artists, and this one was named “Scotty,” after American Idol winner, Scotty McCreery. The singer happened to be performing at the fair that evening, heard about his namesake, and surprised the teenager by attending and standing in the crowd of bidders.
His effort pushed the price until Donelson’s steer sold for a record $61,000 to the highest bidder … Gov. Bruce Rauner.
— Illinois state fair sculpture more than just a butter cow —
