Michigan City Gears Up for Annual State Fair
As Labor Day weekend approaches, the charming city of Novi, Michigan, is buzzing with excitement for the annual Michigan State Fair. This event, a cherished tradition since 1849, takes place at the Suburban Collection Showplace. Each year, it draws crowds eager to celebrate Michigan’s rich agricultural heritage and enjoy a variety of attractions.
Iconic Butter Cow Attraction
One of the standout features of the fair is the iconic butter cow that greets visitors at the entrance. This year, the butter cow, named Mel, sits proudly alongside her companions: Margie the dog, Punchy the goat, and Jojo the calf. Together, they are created from a whopping total of over 500 pounds of butter.
According to Dean Angott, the president of CF Burger Creamery, the process of crafting these sculptures is a labor of love. “There’s a quarter of a ton of butter, and it takes 4 sculptors about 5 days along with 250 actual man-hours to complete this,” he explained. The tradition of the butter cow at the Michigan State Fair dates back to the early 20th century, with the first installment appearing around 1940. The butter cow quickly became a beloved symbol for fairgoers after World War II when butter was no longer rationed, reminding everyone that dairy products were plentiful once again.
A Community Tradition
When asked why this tradition continues to thrive, Angott expressed that the butter cow serves as the “absolute welcoming center” of the fair. “This is where people come and take pictures right away as their souvenir and their experience of the Michigan State Fair,” he said. The butter cow also honors Michigan’s vibrant dairy industry, which is significant, as the state ranks 6th in the nation for milk production, contributing over 11 billion pounds annually.
The Art of Sculpture
Rachel Wolski, one of the sculptors, shared her experience working on these butter creations. “I did the dog. I put the butter on for the goat and the calf,” she noted. Wolski has been part of this process for 15 years, saying, “It’s just working in here, can’t stand here for too long; you gotta get out and warm up, because the sculptures are in a refrigerated case of 40 degrees.”
To maintain the quality and consistency of the butter, Wolski explained her method of melting the butter blocks. “It comes in a box and 55-pound blocks. I cut the box in half, let it warm up for 2 days, and then it gets soft, and we can mold it on. It’s like clay, basically,” she added.
A Variety of Activities
The Michigan State Fair offers much more than the butter cow. Attendees can also enjoy thrilling pig races, impressive logging demonstrations, and live music from local artist Mckayla Prew. “Our goal is to provide a fun environment where families can come together and create lasting memories,” Angott affirmed.
Butter’s Second Life
Angott also emphasized the sustainability of the butter cow display. “Most of the butter gets used by farmers as feed for their animals,” he said, ensuring that nothing goes to waste.
The Michigan State Fair runs through this Monday, inviting everyone to come and partake in this exciting community event. For more information about the fair, visitors can find details online.
