SYRACUSE'S ANNUAL BUTTER CARVING TRADITION CONTINUES WITH ARRIVAL OF 800 POUNDS OF BUTTER

SYRACUSE, NY, Aug. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — More than 800 pounds of butter have been delivered to the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, New York, marking the start of construction on one of Central New York’s most treasured and best-kept secrets: the American Dairy Association North East’s 56th Annual Butter Sculpture, sponsored by Wegmans.

Last weekend, sculptors Jim Victor and Marie Pelton arrived with their tools and began the complex process of making the annual sculpture, which will take about 11 days to complete on site.

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“Each year, the iconic butter sculpture shines a spotlight on our state’s dairy industry,” said John Chrisman, CEO of the American Dairy Association North East. “This remarkable attraction honors New York’s hard-working dairy farmers who dedicate themselves every day to sustainably and responsibly producing nutrient-rich milk.”

The butter used for the sculpture is supplied by O-AT-KA Mik Products in Batavia, NY. This is butter that does not meet retail specifications for various reasons, so the American Dairy Association North East is working with the sculptors to transform it into a stunning work of art.

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After its 13-day display at the fair, the butter will be transported to Western New York, where it will be recycled into renewable energy at Noblehurst Farms, a dairy farm in Pavilion, NY. Noblehurst Farms’ extensive recycling program converts more than 500 tons of food waste from supermarkets, universities and schools each month into enough energy to power the farm and more than 300 local homes. This recycling initiative not only reduces the farm’s carbon footprint, but also diverts food waste from landfills, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The American Dairy Association North East will unveil the 56th annual butter sculpture to the media and live on its Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/AmericanDairyNE/) on Tuesday, August 20, the day before the official opening of the fair. The sculpture will then be on display in the Dairy Building for the duration of the fair.