Ill. State Fair unveils butter cow, new ag tent

SPRINGFIELD — The incomplete but ever-popular butter cow sculpture will be unveiled at the Dairy Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Dairy Building Superintendent Marla Behrends will preside over the ceremony Thursday afternoon. Sculptor Sharon BuMann will finish the butter cow in front of fairgoers during the beginning of the 2012 Illinois State Fair.

The butter cow unveiling will be followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly designed Department of Agriculture Tent in the Gate 2 area of the fairgrounds.

The new tent was redesigned by Millikin University's Scenic Design Department in Decatur. Acting Director of Agriculture Bob Flider, State Fair Manager Amy Bliefnick and Illinois County Fair Queen Brittany Schisler will be at both events.

The fair will run August 9-19. Admission is $7 for adults and $3 for children.