Photo: Adam Gault / OJO Images / Getty Images
The iconic butter sculpture at the New York State Fair was dismantled on Tuesday (September 2) and sent to Noblehurst Farms in Livingston County for recycling into renewable energy. The sculpture, titled "Dairy for Good: Nourish. Grow. Thrive," celebrated the 125th anniversary of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum, a native of Chittenango.
The 800-pound sculpture, created by artists Jim Victor and Marie Pelton, was displayed at the fair in Syracuse and featured a hot air balloon and figures representing different life stages nourished by dairy. After the fair, the butter was combined with other food waste and manure at Noblehurst Farms to generate electricity, a process the farm has been using for a decade. According to RochesterFirst, the farm has recycled a total of 8,000 pounds of butter over the years, enough to power a home for about a month.
John Chrisman, CEO of the American Dairy Association North East, praised the sculpture for showcasing dairy's nutritional benefits. The sculpture, sponsored by Wegmans, is part of a long-standing tradition at the fair. The butter used was provided by O-AT-KA Milk Products in Batavia and was not suitable for consumption.
The fair's butter sculpture tradition will continue with a new creation in August 2026, ensuring that this unique blend of art and sustainability remains a highlight of the New York State Fair.