This year, the Pennsylvania Farm Show is spreading the celebration of 250 years of American history with its signature butter sculpture.
The 35th annual butter sculpture, created by artists Jim Victor and Marie Pelton, takes visitors back to 1776 Philadelphia. The piece shows Benjamin Franklin and the Founding Fathers signing the Declaration of Independence and toasting the moment with milk. The scene also includes familiar symbols such as the Liberty Bell and Betsy Ross’ first American flag, with the base highlighting Pennsylvania’s long history of farming.
“While the Founding Fathers were shaping a new country, farmers here were building a strong dairy industry that continues to thrive today,” says Carolyn Matthews Eaglehouse, a dairy farmer in Chester Springs. “I’m proud to be part of that legacy.”
The artists used more than 1,000 lb. of butter, donated by Land O’Lakes, to bring the sculpture to life over several weeks on-site. After the show, the butter will be recycled at Reinford Farms via digester and turned into renewable energy, keeping the tradition of sustainability alive.
The sculpture is on display during the eight-day Farm Show and expected to draw more than 500,000 visitors. Watch the video below for a time-lapse look at how the butter sculpture came together:
