Butter Sculptures at the Minnesota State Fair

FALCON Heights, Minnesota (AP) — On a surprisingly warm summer day, Mallory Thorson suited up for winter as Jerry Krutzer began crafting a head sculpture from a large block of butter, marking the opening day of the Minnesota State Fair.

Thorson, a 20-year-old from Waverly, earned the title of Princess Kay of the Milky Way just the night before, and her first task as an ambassador for the state’s dairy farmers involved sitting in a chilly glass studio at around 40 degrees Fahrenheit while fairgoers watched Kurtzer transform 90-pound blocks into detailed art.

Other state fairs also showcase butter sculptures, with the Iowa State Fair being particularly well-known for its life-sized butter cow that has been a staple for over a century.

Interestingly, this replica will be displayed at the Smithsonian Association’s Renwick Gallery in Washington starting Saturday.

The recently announced sculpture for the 2025 New York State Fair weighs in at a hefty 900 pounds, commemorating the 125th anniversary of “The Wizard of Oz,” a classic by New York native L. Frank Baum.

In Minnesota, all ten dairy princess finalists get to have their heads carved into butter sculptures before a live audience. These are taken home as unique souvenirs, with some enjoying them as gifts for friends or even spreading the butter on corn.

Dressed in her tiara and sash, Thorson, gloves resting on her lap, noted how lovely it was to escape the heat, which was nearly 80 degrees outside.

She reflected on how surreal it felt to be the center of attention, recalling her childhood trips to the fair with her mother, who was a finalist for the Princess Kay title back in 1996.

Thorson was confident in Kurtzer’s abilities, saying, “I have a lot of faith in him. I usually don’t find myself trusting easily because I tend to want to control things, but it’s nice to relax and know he’ll do a great job.”

This marks Kurtzer’s fourth year as the official butter sculptor for the fair. He mentioned that butter differs from the clay he typically works with. “Temperature really matters,” he explained during a break. “At 50 degrees, it feels like clay, but at 40 degrees, it’s more like butter from the fridge—hard and crumbly.”

Despite the chill, Kulzer admitted his state fair work is enjoyable. “My fingers stiffen up a bit; I layer my gloves, but I need to maintain dexterity,” he shared, noting he takes breaks as needed to keep the carving process smooth.