COLUMBUS, Ohio – The last time Ohio state fairgoers were asked to weigh in on a name for the event’s iconic butter sculpture, there was no such thing as social media. Now, fans are being asked to use Twitter to send in their suggestions.
For the rest of this week, the public can submit names for the butter cow and calf via the social networking site using the hashtag, #ButterCowNameGame. The most creative name for this year’s butter bovines will be selected to share the spotlight with the sculpture at its unveiling on July 22, as well as fair tickets, vouchers for free ice cream and a t-shirt.
More than 500,000 visitors stream through the Dairy Products Building at the Ohio Expo Center each year to get a peek at the butter cow and calf and an Ohio icon or theme which is selected to share the space, according to the American Dairy Association Mideast (Twitter: @OHDairyFarmers).
The naming contest dates back to the early 1980s when fairgoers would cast their ballots by dropping hand-written names into a large wooden milk carton. This is the first time in over 15 years that the association has taken votes from the public.
The Ohio State Fair runs from July 23 until Aug. 3.
In 2013, the butter display celebrated the 50th anniversary of the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir with a butter-bust of its founder, Glenville Thomas, and 60 other singers to represent members of the choir throughout the last five decades.
Past sculptures have included well-known Ohio personalities like Jack Hanna, Bobby Rahal, Jack Nicklaus, Dave Thomas and John Glenn.