When the road leads you to Webster City’s Fall Fest

Iowa State Fair Butter Sculptor brings her art form to Wilson Brewer Park event Saturday

Sometimes life sends you on a journey you don't expect. And sometimes that journey ends up with new friendships in a place like Webster City.

At least that seems to be the story from the Iowa State Fair butter sculptor, Sarah Pratt, who traveled to Webster City earlier this year, and is returning Saturday to present her program "Butter Sculpting: an Artist's Journey," at the Mulberry Church in Wilson Brewer Park during the Fall Fest.

Pratt, who lives in Cummings, Iowa was planning a trip to Ruthven, Iowa, a three hour drive from her home.

"I was on the Travel Iowa Website, looking for routes from Cummings," she explained, " I have a friend who has created travel stickers and one of them is the Doodlebug."

That peaked her curiosity and she started looking at other things along her route.

"I had learned about a few things I wanted to see in Webster City, especially the sculpture park and the Doodle Bug," said Pratt, "I made it a point to make a stop."

During that visit she saw the Produce Station Pottery Station and met Maureen Seamonds, whose shop on Seneca St. is between the Sculpture Park and the Doodle Bug sculpture.

Pratt had recently signed up to be a Humanities Iowa speaker, which offers a grant to non-profit organizations to assist with the costs associated with speakers from around Iowa.

"I caught her there (in her shop) and I talked with her about a grant and talked with her about the program I was doing and when it was going to be available."

They exchanged information at that time, and started communicating. She had ordered some chickens from the McMurray Hatchery, and didn't have a plan to come back to Webster City at that time, but it wasn't the only encounter she would have with Seamonds.

"We both ended up at a training at the Mainframe studio also this summer," she said.

It seemed she was destined to make a return trip to Webster City.

That is exactly what will be happening tomorrow, as Pratt brings the history of butter sculpting from her perspective, as the current Iowa State Fair butter sculptor. Butter art is her median of choice, and she will be sharing a combined program of storytelling and photography at the Mulberry Center Church starting at 1 p.m.

After the presentation, which should last about half an hour, she will be moving outside, where she will coordinate a community sculpting project near the Legacy Learning booth, bringing sticks of butter to create the pieces of the sculpture, working with those community members willing to give it a try.

Pratt grew up in Toledo, Iowa and has been sculpting butter for over 30 years, starting as an apprentice with Norma "Duffy" Lyon, the famed butter sculptor. Under Duffy's tutelage, Sarah developed her own sculpting style, and when Duffy retired in 2005, she named Sarah her successor. Since then, not only has Sarah sculpted Butter Cows, but also companion sculptures like Superman, Harry Potter, Sesame Street and Music Man. Sarah sculpts annually at state fairs in Iowa, Illinois and Kansas.

Sculpting is a family affair for the Pratts. Her twins, Hannah and Grace, are in their 9th year of apprenticeship and studying the Arts at the University of Northern Iowa. Currently, Sarah and her daughters have a sculpture on display at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Renwick Gallery in Washington DC. The show, State Fairs: Growing American Craft, will run from August 22, 2025 through September 7, 2026.

In addition to sculpting, Sarah is a teacher, collector of history and life long learner. She earned her BA in Education at the University of Northern Iowa and is currently returning to her alma mater to earn a Master's degree in Transformative Education. She enjoys combining these interests by sharing the history and art of butter sculpting through presentations and classes at schools, colleges and libraries across Iowa and beyond.

"I've been able to combine my sculpting and my teaching," said Pratt, "During the year I focus on my teaching, and the summer I focus on my sculptures."

Pratt currently lives on six acres in Cumming, Iowa with her husband, Andy, a jazz musician who also sells insurance, and their youngest son, Dean, also a musician, where they enjoy the wonders of gardens, chickens and beekeeping.

The Fall Fest at the Wilson Brewer Park begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, and will continue until 4 p.m. Pratt's sculpture work will be the first time she has attempted sculpting at an outdoor event. There are a few fees for rides on the trains, and a few other activities, but overall attendance at the Fall Fest is free. The event has been underwritten by a number of businesses, individuals and organizations, to help promote the Wilson Brewer Park and Depot Foundation.

The Foundation does welcome donations year-round to help offset the maintenance of the buildings, assist with events and programs, and to maintain the historic exhibits found in both the Depot, the courthouse, cabins, school and church. Donations can be left inside the depot or mailed to Wilson Brewer Park and Depot Foundation, P.O. Box 1, Webster City, Iowa 50595.