There’s a new job for the butter cow this year at the Ohio State Fair, social media messenger. The life-size butter cow is an annual tradition at the Ohio State Fair. For the first time ever, the 2012 cow is taking over social media. Starting today, the butter cow will tweet and update Facebook from the fair. The cow will be milking this opportunity for all it’s worth. Representing more than 268,000 real dairy cows across Ohio, the butter cow will be promoting not only the new butter sculpture at the fair, but also highlighting all of the great things about Ohio’s dairy community.

 

The Ohio State Fair runs from July 25 until August 5 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus. Social media users are encouraged to follow @OHDairyFarmers on Twitter, and "like" Ohio Dairy Farmers on Facebook. The butter cow will be tweeting and posting about various topics, including dairy trivia and state fair facts. There’s even a "tweet to win" contest, where followers can tweet a photo of themselves in front of the butter cow display to  @OHDairyFarmers  and include the hashtag #buttercow for a chance to win an iPad. Don't forget to add the Ohio State Fair hashtag, #OSF12, or follow @OhioStateFair. 

 

Prior to the first day of the fair, followers will get hints as to what the new butter sculpture that joins the cow will look like. Each year the American Dairy Association Mideast selects and icon or theme to feature in butter that is non-political and reflects optimism and broad audience appeal. In 2011 the butter cow was joined by a sculpture that paid tribute to the nation’s space program. Other past sculptures include several well-known Ohio personalities like Jack Hanna, Bobby Rahal, Jack Nicklaus, Dave Thomas and John Glenn. Many more have paid tribute to innovation, entrepreneurship and commitment of the dairy industry.

 

The butter display at the Ohio State Fair attracts more than 500,000 visitors each year and has reflected positive ideals and cultural trends in Ohio for more than 45 years, with several exhibits gaining national media attention with themes that have universal appeal.

 

The butter cow and sculpture can be found in the Dairy Products Building at the Ohio Expo Center, home of the Ohio State Fair. The Dairy Products building is open from 9 am until 10 pm and offers a variety of dairy foods produced in Ohio, including ice cream, milkshakes, cheese sandwiches and milk.