Iowa State Fair Announces 2026 Companion Piece To The Butter Cow

One of Iowa's best bits of culture is the fair's butter cow.

We all know the Iowa State Fair's Butter Cow. The 600 pounds of pure Iowa butter on top of wire and mesh shaped like a cow.

Since 1996, a butter companion piece to go along with the Butter Cow has been made. And the fair has announced this summer's piece.

In a nod to small-town, downtown landmarks in Iowa, it's "Meet Me At The Pepsi Clock".

The Iowa State Fair said in their post that the clock honors "agriculture, art, music and hometown pride". It's also meant to acknowledge America's 250th, saying it's a "tribute to the people, celebrations and diversity that make Iowa shine".

The Iowa State Fair's first butter cow was sculpted in 1911. It's made in a 40-degree cooler and is about 5.5' high and 8' long. Each year, a lot of the butter used is recycled and can be used for up to 10 years. The 1911 butter cow display included a calf, a young boy, and a chicken.

Last year's butter companion piece to the cow was a tribute to "Toy Story" for it's 30-year milestone. 2024 was a nod to nighttime TV celebrities like Johnny Carson, Steve Higgins, and Jimmy Fallon. 2023 was memorable Iowa athletes like Kurt Warner, Caitlin Clark, and Jack Trice.

The Iowa State Fair this year is August 13th-23rd.

The Butter Cow is so iconic that one is actually at the Smithsonian. The replica is part of an exhibit called "State Fairs: Growing American Craft" that will be open until September 7th, 2026.