Michael Jackson Butter Statue: You Decide!

[Ryan_ZOOM_Turner]

Vote Yes and I will take pictures and post them!

Vote here!
http://www.iowastatefair.com/enterta...utter-vote.php

The Iowa State Fair is putting its plan to include Michael Jackson in its 2009 butter statue exhibit to a vote beginning tomorrow after hearing from Iowans both for and against the plan. The fair issued this statement today:

The Iowa State Fair appreciates the input of hundreds of people who have voiced their opinions, both positive and negative, on the issue of including Michael Jackson as a companion element in the 2009 moonwalk butter sculpture.

"The overwhelming response is a testament to how important the Iowa State Fair is to Iowans and to the iconic nature of Iowa's butter cow," says Gary Slater, Iowa State Fair CEO/Manager.

"However, the ongoing discussion has created a lot of, well, 'churn,'" he adds. "Since everyone has an opinion about the sculpture, we've decided to put it to a vote and let Fairgoers decide."

Beginning Thursday, visit iowastatefair.org and cast your vote for whether or not Michael Jackson should be part of the 2009 Iowa State Fair moonwalk butter sculpture.

The concept of the sculpture will be a celebration of the 40th anniversary of Neil Armstrong's moonwalk on July 20, 1969. In honor of Armstrong's "giant leap for mankind," this year's sculpture will include an astronaut, an American flag and a buttery rendition of the surface of the moon. Depending on the vote, Michael Jackson would be featured in a small side portion of the sculpture as the first pop-star to perfect and popularize choreographed moonwalking.

The online poll will be available at iowastatefair.org July 9 until 3 p.m. on July 16. Final results will be announced July 17.

"State Fair Time" in 2009 is set August 13-23. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

[thatguyfromsyracuse]

Yes! I hope they make a Billy Mays butter sculpture this year at the NY State Fair!

[Ryan_ZOOM_Turner]

Yes! I hope they make a Billy Mays butter sculpture this year at the NY State Fair!

If that is true I will vote for your's if you vote for mine.

[Ryan_ZOOM_Turner]

Come on, Michael Jackson moonwalking next to Neil Armstrong in butter!

[Patch]

Life is weird.

[Dr. Blasphemy]

I am holding out for an Ed McMahon martini olive statue...

[The Aaron!]

Aaron votes no. I was offended enough the year we had butter Garth Brooks. But I never go anyway, so what should I care?

[Ryan_ZOOM_Turner]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090718/...cz11D_cecHcggF


King of Pop creamed in online butter statue vote

DES MOINES, Iowa – Jesus Christ and his apostles made the cut. So did John Wayne, Elvis and Tiger. But Michael Jackson will not have his buttery likeness displayed at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines this summer, after support for a creamy statue of the King of Pop melted in an online vote.

Kent Lehs, a manager with the Midwest Dairy Association, which sponsors the display, said Friday it wasn't a question of Jackson's achievements that drew complaints.

"They were more pointed toward what they felt they understand Michael Jackson's reputation was and not as a singer and dancer, but more some of the things he was implicated on in his personal life," said Lehs.

Jackson was accused of molesting a child in 1993 and settled the case without a trial, and he was acquitted of child molestation charges in a separate case in 2003.

Butter sculptures have been popular part of the fair since 1911, and fairgoers jostle for position in front of the glass-enclosed displays to watch the artists at work. Besides a life-size Butter Cow, which always makes an appearance, sculptors usually whip up another display.

Past works have included statues of Elvis Presley and Tiger Woods, Harry Potter, a Harley Davidson motorcycle and even a slippery rendition of Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper." And this year's display will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the moon landing.

Fair staff first announced plans for a Jackson sculpture days after his June 25 death. After being deluged with complaints, the staff clarified that the Jackson statue would be of him moonwalking, in keeping with the theme.

But the complaints kept coming, so organizers decided to put the issue to an online vote.

"They were not going to go to the fair or they were considering not going to the fair or to the (agriculture) building," Lehs said.

Fair spokeswoman Lori Chappell said more than 100,000 votes were cast and by a 65 percent to 35 percent margin, people rejected the Jackson sculpture. Voters were asked to include a ZIP code, and 97 percent of those submitted were from Iowa, she said.

"They've certainly shown a lot of passion for the fair over the past few weeks," Chappell said.

Sarah Pratt, the 155-year-old fair's fourth butter sculptor, is expected to begin her work later this month to be ready by the fair's Aug. 13 opening.

[Matthew Brown]

nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

[Ryan_ZOOM_Turner]

nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

All the people against this are probably the same ones who were protesting when we legalized gay marriage here.