Minnesota State Fair butter sculptor ends her half-century run

Since 1972, artist Linda Christensen has been carving the unique and highly-coveted "butter head" sculptures at the Minnesota State Fair. This year, she's passing the knife to the next generation. Correspondent Ben Tracy reports.
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[@leonidas14775]

Nice to hear about something as wholesome as butter sculpting among all the other news stories.

[@2006glg]

They made us do butter sculptures and ice sculptures *once* in culinary school...and once was enough. She's amazing for her artistry and endurance to craft in a cold room like that.

[@mjfletch5737]

Read about her several years back in a cooking magazine featuring state fairs. What a lovely woman. All the best to you!

[@sandyartman7520]

I read that article, too. I was amazed then but, to do anything for 50 years is pretty darn newsworthy!

[@BrokebackBob]

Jane Pauley is truly a national treasure that we must never take for granted. As a fellow Hoosier, I have watched her career from the very early days broadcasting for a channel in Indianapolis, then Chicago, then the national networks. I have watched her for decades as the warm, friendly face of The Today Show, and now CBS Sunday Morning. I know it's sort of silly to think that you know someone that you only experienced through the medium of television but I think Jane is an exception. There is never a question of Jane's sincerity and that she will always tell you the truth. When Jane is speaking to me I always listen and see a friend.

[@dijonrolle1846]

Agreed. Was very happy when Jane took the helm after Charles retired. I'm old enough to remember her on the Today show and I enjoyed her then and now. The show's definitely in good hands.

[@richmoves]

What's not to love about this talented woman? 🧈🇺🇸🧡🧈

[@LaLadybug2011]

What an artist! And can we talk about how gorgeous she is at 79?! I can't believe she is almost 80-her skin tone is amazing. What a cool woman-so interesting.

[@Fuglychick]

I bet she uses butter 😜

[@dorothywhitmore7287]

That was a GREAT to see! Being from Minnesota It is Nice to hear something Positive about our Great State! Thank You!

[@georgewilliams7474]

Hello Dorothy nice meeting you, how are you doing there? 🤝

[@lalifromcali6439]

What a great story! So enjoyable. Thank you! Linda rocks!

[@JohnnyNiteTrain]

My grandma would use all the butter in that sculpture in a week lol

[@philoctetes_wordsworth]

What an accomplishment. May she enjoy her time in the sun!🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗💕💕💕💕💕💋💋👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@mililaniman]

This story is a reminder that creative endeavors come in all forms.

[@ericherman5413]

Sending her well wishes!

[@michaeldougherty8344]

Loved every minute of this.

[@KongSiXin]

Wow I love her ❤️

[@shuffleaccount1985]

THIS WAS WONDERFUL !!! I'M GOING TO THE FAIR !

[@daimonmarioperez9501]

Linda is such a lovely woman.

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

Everything's better wit buttah!

[@michaelscot4816]

MINNESOTA!!!!!!!!!! 💜💜💜💜💜

[@chrisfinch8637]

I remember many times seeing a butter-shaped cow, at the Illinois State Fair, in my childhood. While that plays on, while watching this video, it makes such perfect art, to have something shaped out of certain food items. Just be sure to put it in a cold environment, otherwise you’ll need “a mop, a bucket, and 28 more pounds of butter!”

[@butterfli808]

That would be the Iowa State Fair.

[@semafodje782]

"Some have kept theirs frozen for decades." I'm sure one of those women have had interesting conversations; Visitor: Hey, what do you have in your freezer? Woman: A head.

[@gus473]

Uh, are you confusing this with Colorado and Grandpa in the Tuff Shed....? 🤔

[@carljcreighton]

I grew up in Minnesota and this is my first time hearing about this

[@JaysonMenchavez_]

smooth like butter. 💜

[@teresasahli5891]

This girl from the land of 10,000 lakes Is in tears - I’ll miss her

[@fredwerza3478]

Makes me sad that this lovely old gal is hanging up her butter knife for good --- what she does will never be duplicated again

[@GalvestonGuy]

Shout out to Linda, Gerry, the Princesses and... (Lindsay Brown...Patty, Mark, Terry, Brittany, Gretchen, John, [ED] ,Lucas, Ben, Ben, Nathan, Emma, Jeremy, Dustin, Dusty, Bumblebee Megan, and Crusty ...CBS film crew...the Gate 7 security staff) and everyone from MDA who made our MN State Fair experience very historical and special in the Dairy Building in 2021!!!! Sincerely, Steven Sohlstrom.

[@USA50_]

That's awesome! ❤️😄

[@joejacko1587]

very American

[@crt1477]

Min 2:43 ‘I am so glad you won instead of me!’

[@georgewilliams7474]

Hello Charles nice meeting you, how are you doing there? 🤝

[@b.visconti1765]

Hope your well deserved retirement is Joyous!!😘

[@TravisGarnett]

❤️

[@pottergirl287]

She sculpts a few each year, and one of my former robotics mentees was one of her sculpted faces this year. This tradition is pretty amazing!

[@RanndiMarie01]

I was born and raised in Minnesota and never knew this existed. Lol I’ve also only attended the state fair twice so that would probably be why...

[@MisfitsFiendClub138]

In New York my friends and I would call each other knucklehead, rubber head 🤣

[@lynnharrell9598]

“Immortalized in saturated fat”. Hahahahahaha!

[@ecouturehandmades5166]

With Barb Cary singing the theme song! Yay!

[@bieuxyongson]

I wondered who was singing the theme song.

[@JFord-er5ky]

Lol, she got butterfingers

[@tah3099]

She looked forward to it for last 50 years...that says everything

[@Voidlingstudiosofficial]

B u t t e r o e o p l e

[@lindaleelaw5277]

Fir every parent who said : stop playing with your foid

[@notsonutsomills593]

She’s 79?!

[@samanthaanderson4382]

How unusual...

[@georgewilliams7474]

Hello Samantha nice meeting you, how are you doing there? 🤝

[@legogeneralgrievous1173]

BUTTER PEOPLE

[@Nancy-xg9nc]

Yeah...hug an older person with no mask on😬

[@baby16gurl9]

Oh God, get a life

[@Nancy-xg9nc]

@@baby16gurl9 Back at cha😀 get vaccinated! ICUs at capacity...AGAIN! Why don't you get a clue!

[@Nancy-xg9nc]

@Wayne Flanigan Yawn....not engaging.

[@stepawayful]

@Wayne Flanigan hey Darwin. Here's another one for ya!

[@jaym8299]

Some chunky chicks in that town..!

[@te9452]

Would love to see a buttered person of color. 😏

[@virginiaarthur5]

There a movie about that where a black little girls becomes a butter sculpture artist

[@donutdomination139]

Why did this ever begin?

[@MOSTGHALONE]

Minnesota racial riots 2020 Minnesota butter sculptor 2021 We just need Tim Allen to do his aroouughhh

[@MrMalchore]

I live in the Twin Cities and have been to the MN State Fair only once. There is no where to sit! Even when you have two hands full of food or drink there is no seating. I was in my early 30s when we went, but now I'm 49 with advanced arthritis in my knees. I'll pass.

[@chowfun1976]

What a tragic blow to the butter carving community. What will become of us?

[@barbarajohnson3876]

No masks, no thanks

[@emacici1482]

sorry - milk used for butter could feed baby cow and other animal and people.......no hate but just sayin.......

[@absatwell8163]

I think there is plenty to go around. I don’t see any calf’s or people dying from lack of milk.

[@somedude626]

The girls who win the contest are not the best looking but it’s Minnesota I guess in that area I guess they are a 9 and 10 😂

[@dean9327]

Minnesota nice is a myth , go down town .Minneapolis see 4 yourself

[@jesusisking2325]

REPENT JESUS IS COMING SOON!!!!

[@crawnyxx]

Minnesota, I can't believe it's not racism 😬

[@Mageroeth]

Im only 30 why is on my recommends lmao.

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

Hope she wears HEATED underware?

[@MrTimjd123]

Maybe she can do one of Trump.

[@tommitchell4570]

Then we can blow it up

[@imthebadguy3225]

🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮

[@blackdogslivesmatter1568]

I hope I look that good at 79. Hopefully I will since I dont eat dairy or meat.

[@Flowergurl2000]

Salted, eh. Lessons learned. Glad she came to CA.