First look: 2025 Illinois State Fair butter cow unveiled
[August 07, 2025]
By Jerry Nowicki
SPRINGFIELD — State officials ushered in the start of the Illinois State
Fair on Wednesday with the annual unveiling of the butter cow.
The sculpture is made of 800 pounds of unsalted butter spread across a
wire frame. This year’s iteration depicts a cow accompanied by an
“adventurer seeking hidden treasure across the fairgrounds.” The theme
for this year’s fair is “Adventure Awaits.”
“Indeed, this year will be chock full of adventures and treasures for
the entire family. Music and entertainment, food and drinks, rides and
contests, exhibits and displays, concerts. There will be an opportunity
for everyone to experience, to learn, to grow, and we’re again proud to
be able to present that not just to Illinoisans who come here to
Springfield to enjoy themselves, but also to people who come from around
the country, to see what Illinois has to offer,” Gov. JB Pritzker said.
The butter is “recycled,” meaning it is reused each year, rather than
discarded. It was sculpted once again by Iowan Sarah Pratt.
The cow – the 104th in state history – will remain on display in the
Dairy Building throughout the fair. Gates will officially open at 7 a.m.
Thursday, with the annual Twilight Parade scheduled for 5: 30 p.m. later
that day. The fair runs through Aug. 17 from 7 a.m. until midnight each
day.
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Gov. JB Pritzker and wife MK unveil the 2025 Illinois State Fair
butter cow on Wednesday, Aug. 6, in Springfield. (Capitol News
Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
The grand marshal for the parade this year is American Business Club of
Springfield in celebration of its 70 years of volunteering at the fair.
The 300-member club has generated over $6 million to benefit local
organizations, with their main source of fundraising being the fair,
according to a news release.
This year’s grandstand attractions include Jake Owen, The Black Crowes,
Megan Moroney, Sheryl Crow, Snoop Dogg, Brad Paisley, The Chainsmokers,
Def Leppard and the Turnpike Troubadours.
As for political events, governor’s day is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug.
13, with Republican Day the following day.
You can follow the State Fair on Facebook, X and Instagram, or find more
on the State Fair website, which is also home to a butter cow livestream.
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coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily
by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. |
