Iconic ButterCow unveiled at Illinois State Fair

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The ButterCow for the 2022 Illinois State Fair was unveiled Wednesday afternoon.

The sculpture has been an unofficial icon of the state fair since the 1920s.

Governor JB Pritzker and his wife were on hand to pull back the blue curtain in the Dairy Building, where the ButterCow will live for the next two weeks.

The cow is created with about 500 pounds of salted butter and takes on average five days to create.

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This year's sculpture features a farmer taking care of sunflowers and a mischievous cow that has snatched one.

This is Illinois’ 101st ButterCow, which celebrates the state's dairy farmers.

"It's not just about kicking off the Illinois State Fair, which is always a great time. But it's also about celebrating all of our farmers and producers and all that they contribute to our state every single day," said Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.

You can also view the sculpture online via the ButterCow webcam.

The Illinois State Fair kicks off Thursday night with the Twilight Parade. Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is the grand marshal.

The state fair runs through Aug. 21.