Michael Jackson already has a wax statue at Madame Tussaud’s, so why not a butter statue in Iowa?
That’s right, the state known for its king-making caucuses will pay tribute to Michael Jackson next month with a butter statue at the Iowa State Fair. On Tuesday, organizers announced that West Des Moines’ butter sculptor Sarah Pratt will design the King of Parkay statue to be displayed in a refrigerated cooler during the festivities from August 13 to 23.
Here’s hoping Pepsi Cola doesn’t try to shoot a commercial with the buttery Jackson!
Pratt, whose past buttery works include Harry Potter and Superman Returns actor Brandon Routh, will portray the “Thriller” singer doing the moonwalk, which is also meant to honor the anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s original lunar stroll. While the statue will reflect Jackson’s ’80s appearance, there’s no word on whether they’ll eventually turn on the heat lamps to capture his more recent look (don’t write, it’s just a joke).
Though Iowa doesn’t have the Jackson ties that Indiana and Michigan claim, the Jackson 5 did entertain 17,000 fans at two Iowa State Fair performances back in ’71.
Wisconsin missed its chance to make a Swiss cheese moon walk statue for Summer Fest, but for travelers hitting the state fairs, Iowa is now the place to be for some buttery M.J. love. Just remember to keep those corncobs a safe distance away. He’s the King of Pop, not the King of Jiffy Pop.
Harry Potter photo by Ahhyeah, cow photo with senators Evan Bayh and Dick Deraden by Bayh, both courtesy of Flickr.