DMACC Team Wins Butter Battle

DES MOINES, IA (08/15/2011)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair's Battle of the Butter was a showdown between three teams from Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) on Monday. Each team prepared a butter sculpture from a 55 pound block of butter in half an hour.

Taking first place was The Other Team. The duo of Vicki Voogt of Ankeny and Hannah McKeever of Des Moines sculpted an homage to Grant Wood's American Gothic which featured buttery renditions of the famous stoic couple set in front of an image of the iconic house.

The DMACC Continuing Education Department won second place with their sculpture of a butter finger pointing to indicate "DMACC #1." The sculptors of the work of art were Darin Stevenson of Des Moines, Stephanie Wilson of Runnells, Cindy Huisman of Ankeny, and Louis Kiester, no hometown given.

Team DMACC took third with their sculpture of a giant butterfly with bright blue wings. Teammates included Mitzi Alexander of Nevada, Michael Blair of Des Moines and Amina Ali of Altoona.

The Battle of the Butter is part of the festivities celebrating 100 years of the Butter Cow. Teams of two to four sculptors compete daily for a chance to have their sculpture on display in the John Deere Agriculture Building alongside the 2011 Butter Cow. A $100 prize is awarded to the winning team each day. Judging is based on originality, creativity and use of butter.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2011 Iowa State Fair, celebrating 100 years of the Butter Cow August 11-21. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines, and are open 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the Fair. Exhibit hours may vary. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

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