The New York State Fair is gearing up for one of its most anticipated traditions. Eight hundred pounds of butter arrived at the fairgrounds in Geddes, setting the stage for the 58th annual butter sculpture. Sculptors Jim Victor and Marie Pelton are now locked in a refrigerated studio, working on the piece that remains a closely held secret until its official reveal on Tuesday, August 25.
Victor and Pelton have a long history with this project. They began their partnership in 2003 and have delivered the sculpture every year since. The butter itself comes from O-AT-KA Milk Products in Batavia, utilizing dairy that does not meet retail specifications. The American Dairy Association North East sources this material to turn what would otherwise be waste into a centerpiece of the state fair.
The finished sculpture serves as a nod to the state’s dairy farming families. Since the tradition began in 1969, subjects have ranged from disco dancers to historical figures. While the design for 2026 remains hidden behind closed doors, the life cycle of the butter after the fair is clear. Once the event ends, the sculpture is dismantled and sent to Noblehurst Farms in Pavilion.
At the farm, the butter enters an anaerobic digester. This process converts the dairy into renewable energy. The facility processes over 500 tons of food waste each month, creating enough power for their own operations and more than 300 homes. A single butter sculpture provides enough energy to power one house for approximately three days, marking a final, practical purpose for the artistic display.