Butter sculpture defies gravity at NYS Fair

A whimsical hot air balloon made entirely of butter is turning heads at this year’s Great New York State Fair.

Unveiled Tuesday by the American Dairy Association North East, the 57th annual butter sculpture—titled “Dairy For Good: Nourish. Grow. Thrive.”—celebrates the nourishing power of dairy at every stage of life. It also pays tribute to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, honoring the 125th anniversary of the classic story by Chittenango-born author L. Frank Baum.

The sculpture’s centerpiece is a golden balloon bearing the words “Dairy Defies Gravity”, rising above a butter-carved winding path of life. Along that path, three butter figures highlight dairy’s impact—from a pregnant woman with a glass of milk, to a baby eating yogurt, to a toddler enjoying cheese.

“This year’s butter sculpture beautifully showcases the power of dairy nutrition,” said John Chrisman, CEO of American Dairy Association North East. “It tells a story—one that begins with nourishment and ends with thriving, thanks to dairy.”

The beloved display, sponsored by Wegmans, was crafted onsite over 11 days by butter artists Jim Victor and Marie Pelton using over 800 pounds of butter from O-AT-KA Milk Products in Western New York.

Dairy farmer and mom Jaime Mowry, from LeRoy, N.Y., praised the sculpture’s message: “Milk, cheese, and yogurt are everyday staples in our home. Seeing that message come to life in butter—complete with so many surprising details—makes it all the more memorable.”

Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball called the sculpture “a fun and unique way” to honor the work of New York’s dairy farmers and teach fairgoers about the value of dairy nutrition and local agriculture.

And when the fair ends, the butter will be recycled—not discarded. For the 10th straight year, Noblehurst Farms in Linwood will convert the display into renewable energy. Since launching the program, Noblehurst has recycled 8,000 pounds of butter, preventing waste and generating enough energy to power a home for a month.

The butter sculpture is on display throughout the Fair inside the Dairy Products Building. Learn more at americandairy.com/nystatefair.

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