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For over 100 years, the Iowa State Fair’s Butter Cow has been one of the most iconic attractions for fairgoers. From its beginnings in 1911 to its 600-pound creamy presence today, the butter cow has become a beloved tradition celebrating both Iowa’s agricultural heritage and artistic ingenuity. Now, this legendary sculpture is making history beyond the fairgrounds, heading to Washington, D.C., for a national exhibition at the Smithsonian.
This year’s Butter Cow shared the spotlight with a beloved animated cast. Sarah Pratt, along with apprentices Hannah and Grace, sculpted a tribute to Toy Story’s 30th anniversary. Set against the backdrop of Andy’s room, visitors found a host of familiar characters and hidden gems within the display.
Pratt has continued to honor tradition while adding her own creative touch, crafting not only the butter cow but also companion sculptures ranging from “American Gothic” to Harry Potter, Sesame Street, and Iowa sports legends. Each cow begins with a wood, metal, and steel mesh frame before being layered with nearly 600 pounds of pure cream Iowa butter inside a 40-degree cooler. The sculpture measures about 5 ½ feet tall and 8 feet long.
Fun fact: If the butter were spread on toast, it would cover about 19,200 slices — enough to last an average person two lifetimes.
Following the Fair, a replica of the butter cow will travel to the Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. It will be part of State Fairs: Growing American Craft, a groundbreaking exhibition that highlights extraordinary and unconventional crafts from fairs across the nation.
Sarah Pratt reflected on the honor, saying, “It really took a few seconds for it to all sink in, and I feel like it’s still sinking in.”
The exhibition has been in development for five years and will feature over 240 artworks, including ribbon-winning pieces, heritage crafts, and fairground-inspired installations. Visitors will see everything from Big Tex’s size 96 boots to a pyramid of 700 jars of canned produce.
The butter cow will be on display from August 22, 2025, through September 7, 2026, as part of this year-long celebration of American creativity. A grand opening celebration is planned for September 18, with the Pratt family in attendance.
The Butter Cow’s story began in 1911 when J.K. Daniels created the first version. Sculptors J.E. Wallace, Earl Frank Dutt, and the renowned Norma “Duffy” Lyon carried the tradition forward. In 2006, after 15 years of apprenticing with Lyon, Sarah Pratt of Cumming became the Fair’s fifth butter sculptor.
