The Iowa State Fair kicks off today, and for lovers of the fair, agriculture, and dairy, a keystone feature of the fair is the famous butter cow and other sculptures. Three famous Iowa state athletes will join the butter cow this year: Jack Trice, Kurt Warner, and Caitlin Clark.
The Butter Cow takes shape each year around a wood, metal, wire, and steel mesh frame and about 600 pounds of low-moisture, pure cream Iowa butter. Long-time Iowa State Fair butter sculptor Sara Pratt and her apprentices Hannah and Grace will sculpt the athlete and cow’s likenesses.
The three athletes were chosen to share the cooler this year with the butter cow because of their distinct achievements, history, and diversity.
Jack Trice
Among the athletes chosen, Jack Trice, Iowa State’s first African American athlete is commemorated in the sculpture. Trice passed away during a football game in 1923 — 100 years ago.
Fun fact: the first Iowa State Fair butter cow was sculptured 12 years before Jack Terice played football and ran track for Iowa State.
Iowa State Fair’s website reads, “His likeness in butter will be a testament to his impact. Not only on Iowa State but on college athletics across the country.”
Kurt Warner
Warner is the only person inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Arena Hall of Fame. During his career, he Warner secured 208 passing touchdowns, 4 pro bowls, and played 12 seasons.
“Warner’s likeness in butter is the perfect testament to his calm, cool, and collected demeanor,” writes the Iowa State Fair.
Caitlin Clark
Clark was the first Division 1 women’s basketball player in history to record over 1,000 points and 300 assists in the same season. In 2023, Clark was named the consensus National Player of the Year, Academic All-American, and Collegiate Farm Athlete of the Year.
The sculptures will be displayed in the John Deere Agriculture Building during the Iowa State Fair from Aug. 10 through Aug. 20, 2023.
