2023 New York State Fair Butter Sculpture
Dairy Every Day is a Healthy Way
Keeping Kids’ Health on Track
Audrey Donahue, ADANE Board President; Richard Ball, Commissioner of NYS Dept. of Ag; Arianna Aman, NYS Dairy Ambassador
Jim Victor and Marie Pelton, Sculptors
Elyza Schoeberl, 1st Associate NYS Dairy Ambassador; Arianna Aman, NYS Dairy Ambassador; Isabella Esposito, 2nd Associate NYS Dairy Ambassador; Audrey Donahue, ADANE Board President & Dairy Farmer; Richard Ball, Commissioner of NYS Dept. of Ag
Jim Victor, Marie Pelton, Dr. Keith Ayoob, Audrey Donahoe, Sean Hennessey, NYS Fair Director; Evelyn Ingram, Director of Community & Media Relations for Wegmans; Commissioner Richard Ball
Recycling the Butter
Ever wonder what happens to the butter after the fair? It’s recycled and turned into renewable energy at a local NY farm! Learn more about it in this episode of This American Dairy Farmer.
Meet the Artists
We are pulling back the curtains and taking you inside the refrigerated butter sculpture case with Jim Victor and Marie Pelton to see how the sculpture is created. They also provide some DIY sculpting tips for those who want to try it at home!
Last Year’s Sculpture
Did you know that the Butter Sculpture, brought to you by New York State dairy farmers, was crafted from 800 pounds of butter over the course of 10 days by artists Jim Victor and Marie Pelton?
Did You Know?
- It takes 21.2 pounds of fresh cow’s milk to make one pound of butter.
- Nationwide butter production for June 2023 was 163 million pounds.
- Americans consume about 6.5 pounds of butter per person each year.
- Butter was once bartered in exchange for merchandise in general stores of small country towns.
- Butter has been used as a cosmetic and as a medicine.
Meet the Host and Judges
We are honored and thrilled to have Ted Long and Amy Robbins host and Michael Tadros, Commissioner Ball, Audrey Donahoe, and Brynley & Raegan Bossard to judge this year’s Undeniably Dairy Shake-Off!
HOSTS
Ted Long & Amy Robbins
Ted Long and Amy Robbins are the hosts of the popular Syracuse radio show, Ted & Amy in the Morning, where the duo has teamed up for more than 30 years. They were named the “Official Voices of the New York State Fair” in 2011 and were both inducted into the New York State Broadcaster’s Association Hall of Fame in 2019.
JUDGE
Michael Tadros
Having worked at the fair most of his life, Michael Tadros and Family have operated concession stands at the New York State Fair, operating under Tadros Pastries and I Love Milk for the past 35 years.
JUDGE
Richard Ball
Richard A. Ball, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, has made a living in agriculture his entire life. His inspiration to become a farmer came from his grandparents, who were lifelong dairy farmers.
JUDGE
Audrey Donahoe
Audrey Donahoe of Clayville, N.Y., is the Board President of American Dairy Association North East (ADANE). Donahoe is a sixth-generation dairy farmer and mother of six, and farms with her husband Jeff.
JUDGE
Brynley & Raegan Bossard
Brynley (10) and Raegan (7) were special guests on the first episode of American Dairy Association North East’s digital series “Chef Meets Farm” and host “Fun Farm Facts Friday” on their farm’s Facebook and Instagram. Visit them at @Barbland and White Eagle Dairy on Facebook and Instagram.
Photos from previous year’s Dairy Shake-Off!
Must-See Attractions at the Fair
Dairy Day – August 31st
Undeniably Dairy Shake-off – The 2023 Undeniably Dairy Shake-Off will take place at the fair at 10:45am EST on Thursday, August 31st at the Chevy Court Pavilion!
Dairy Products Building
- Milk Bar – A New State Fair tradition for many is visiting the Milk bar for perfectly chilled cups of $.25 cent milk. The New York State Milk Bar Operated by Cornell Cooperative Extension will serve White and Chocolate Milk, on tap every day during the Fair.
- Butter Sculpture – The Butter Sculpture is a New York State Fair must see! The Butter Sculpture, brought to you by New York State dairy farmers, was crafted from 800 pounds of butter over the course of 10 days by artists Jim Victor and Marie Pelton. It is one of the most iconic stops to visit at the New York State Fair.
Dairy Cattle Barn
- Dairy Cattle Shows – Youth and adult exhibitors will compete in their respective breed and age divisions culminating with the selection of Supreme Champion of the New York State Fair! Show schedule can be found here.
- Milk Parlor Demonstrations – Throughout the duration of the fair exhibitors will milk their cows at the parlor located in the Dairy Cattle Barn. Be sure to stop by the barn for the schedule of milking times and to take some time off your feet to enjoy engaging farm videos at the milk parlor.
Dairy Cow Birthing Center
- 10 years running the NY Animal Agriculture Coalition will provide fairgoers the opportunity to see some udder miracles. Dairy Cow Birthing Center will provide a one-of-a-kind experience for their visitors. To learn more click here.
Relive the State Fair at Home
The fair doesn’t have to end once you go home! One of our favorite parts of the fair is the food! Relive it at home with these recipes, courtesy of our friends at Savor Recipes.
