Every June, the small town of Reedsburg, Wisconsin transforms into a celebration of creativity and dairy during its annual Butterfest. This unique festival honors the town’s rich heritage as the former ‘Butter Capital of America’ while showcasing how everyday dairy products become extraordinary art. Visitors from across the Midwest flock to this charming community to witness the surprising ways butter and dairy culture inspire artistic expression.
Butter Sculpture Masterpieces
Yellow blocks of butter transform into intricate works of art under skilled hands at Reedsburg’s signature competition. Local artists and visiting sculptors alike spend hours carving everything from detailed farm animals to elaborate Wisconsin landscapes.
The temperature-controlled display area keeps these creations intact throughout the weekend while spectators marvel at how something so ordinary becomes extraordinary. Children press their noses against the glass, pointing at their favorites.
The tradition dates back to Butterfest’s 1967 origins, with some sculptors returning year after year to defend their titles. First-place winners receive golden butter knife trophies and year-long bragging rights in this beloved community tradition.
The Ruminant Art Installation
Standing proudly at Harvest Park, the ‘Ruminant’ turns heads as Butterfest’s most unexpected art piece. Artist Karl Uunasch transformed an ordinary combine harvester into an extraordinary stained-glass masterpiece that glows with dairy-themed imagery when sunlight filters through its colorful panels.
Festival attendees gather around this massive installation at sunset when it’s most spectacular. The harvester’s mechanics remain intact beneath the glass, symbolizing the marriage between agriculture and artistic expression.
Uunasch incorporated community-submitted designs celebrating local dairy history into the panels. This permanent installation serves as Butterfest’s year-round ambassador, reminding visitors of Reedsburg’s commitment to honoring its agricultural roots through innovative art.
Butter Jam Music Festival
Music fills the air at Butter Jam, where dairy meets melody in Reedsburg’s most toe-tapping Butterfest tradition. Local bands perform on a stage decorated with giant sculptural dairy products while festival-goers dance on a special floor painted to resemble a butter wrapper.
The unique music lineup features Wisconsin artists who compose original songs celebrating dairy heritage. ‘The Churners’ rock band won last year’s crowd favorite with their hit ‘Butter Days Are Here Again.’
Between sets, dairy princesses lead butter-themed line dances, teaching visitors moves like ‘The Milkshake’ and ‘Churn It Up.’ The festival culminates in a community sing-along of ‘Wisconsin, Our Dairy Land’ as the Butter Queen is crowned.
Farm/Art DTour Experience
Rural roads surrounding Reedsburg transform into open-air galleries during the Farm/Art DTour. This self-guided driving adventure takes Butterfest visitors through picturesque farmland dotted with massive art installations celebrating Wisconsin’s dairy culture.
Hay bale sculptures shaped like cheese wheels tower alongside cornfields. Barn sides become canvases for projected light shows telling the story of Wisconsin’s dairy evolution. Roadside stands offer both art and fresh cheese curds.
The brainchild of local farmers and artists, this 50-mile route connects Butterfest to the broader agricultural community. Maps guide visitors to each installation while educating them about sustainable farming practices and the artistic process behind each dairy-inspired creation.
