Iowa butter sculptures: Late-night icons to be sculpted out of butter at 2024 Iowa State Fair

Iowa State Fair: Johnny Carson, Jimmy Fallon among late-night TV icons sculpted out of butter

It was really hot today. Ok. It was worth the trip in, wasn't it yesterday? The thing that surrounded Johnny Carson all started in *** way in this small house in the town of Corning. It was here that Carson was born and lived for *** short time. Even though Carson was born here in Corning, the community has never put up *** sign stating the fact. But that doesn't mean the entertainer hasn't had an influence on the community. It's nice to know that even though he's been gone from the area that long that he remembers his roots and he remembers where he came from. The town. Skate park bears the name of one of Carson's popular characters. Carnac. The magnificent people here thought it was fitting since Carson paid for 90% of the project. But that's not his only contribution to the town. He also donated thousands of dollars for this play area at the elementary school. His legacy with the skate park and with the playscape at the school kids that are playing on him now weren't even born when Mr Carson was on TV, but they certainly will know who he was inside. Corning's City Hall. *** signed photo of Carson also hangs next to *** plaque from Governor Vilsack. The plaque recognizes the city's skate park. The park, Carson helped pay for. We always dreamed that maybe we've got *** big benefactor out there someplace one of our alumni from uh, would remember us through his donations. Carson did remember the people of corning. And for that reason, they say they'll always remember him. People speak of Johnny frequently. I mean, they, they remember him and know that he remembers the city and, and they've all been appreciative of that. I'm one of the lucky people in the world. I found something I always wanted to do and I have enjoyed every single minute of it. I bet you *** very heartfelt. Good night.

Iowa State Fair: Johnny Carson, Jimmy Fallon among late-night TV icons sculpted out of butter

Late-night TV icons with Iowa ties will be immortalized in butter at next month's Iowa State Fair.Johnny Carson, who was born in Corning, and Des Moines native Steve Higgins will be in the Agriculture Building's cooler next to the wildly popular butter cow and another special guest — "The Tonight Show" host Jimmy Fallon.State Fair butter sculptor Sarah Pratt and her team will also make a butter version of the sky glider to celebrate its 50th year.Archive video above: Elvis sculpted out of butter at 1997 Iowa State FairCarson spent his early childhood years in Corning. The Carson family moved around southwest Iowa, living in Clarinda, Red Oak and Avoca, before settling in Norfolk, Nebraska, when he was 8 years old. He worked as a disc jockey, comedy writer and game show host before succeeding Jack Parr as host of "The Tonight Show," which he hosted from 1962 to 1992. He died in 2005 at age 79.Higgins graduated from Des Moines Roosevelt High School and attended the Univesity of Iowa before moving with his brothers to Los Angeles. He worked as a comedy writer and performer before being hired as a writer for "Saturday Night Live" in 1995, for which he's still a producer.He was the announcer on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" from 2009-2014 and moved with Fallon in 2014 to "The Tonight Show," where he's still the announcer and sidekick.Fallon, who became a star as a "Saturday Night Live" cast member from 1998-2004. Unlike Carson and Higgins, he does not have obvious Iowa ties.The 2024 Iowa State Fair runs 11 days, Aug. 8-18, with the annual parade kicking things off Aug. 7 in downtown Des Moines.The butter cow has been an annual attraction at the State Fair since 1911. Sarah Pratt of West Des Moines was named the fair's fifth butter sculptor in 2006 after 15 years as an apprentice to Duffy Lyon.Companion sculptures of the butter cow have been a tradition since at least 1996 when Grant Wood's famous "American Gothic" painting was immortalized. Last year's fair featured iconic Iowa athletes Jack Trice, Kurt Warner and Caitlin Clark.See all of our Iowa State Fair coverage here.Where will ��vlog be at the fair?You can see ��vlog 8 News live at 4:30 p.m. every weekday during the fair from the MidAmerican Energy Stage.You can also stream ��vlog 8’s coverage of the Iowa State Fair for free on the Very Local app. Click here to download Very Local to your phone. More coverage of the Iowa State FairWATCH: Judges look for volume during 1993 Husband Calling ContestFrom 2019: Sesame Street sculpture join Iowa State Fair butter cow

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Late-night TV icons with Iowa ties will be immortalized in butter at next month's Iowa State Fair.

Johnny Carson, who was born in Corning, and Des Moines native Steve Higgins will be in the Agriculture Building's cooler next to the wildly popular butter cow and another special guest — "The Tonight Show" host Jimmy Fallon.

State Fair butter sculptor Sarah Pratt and her team will also make a butter version of the sky glider to celebrate its 50th year.

Archive video above: Elvis sculpted out of butter at 1997 Iowa State Fair

Carson spent his early childhood years in Corning. The Carson family moved around southwest Iowa, living in Clarinda, Red Oak and Avoca, before settling in Norfolk, Nebraska, when he was 8 years old.

He worked as a disc jockey, comedy writer and game show host before succeeding Jack Parr as host of "The Tonight Show," which he hosted from 1962 to 1992. He died in 2005 at age 79.

Higgins graduated from Des Moines Roosevelt High School and attended the Univesity of Iowa before moving with his brothers to Los Angeles. He worked as a comedy writer and performer before being hired as a writer for "Saturday Night Live" in 1995, for which he's still a producer.

He was the announcer on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" from 2009-2014 and moved with Fallon in 2014 to "The Tonight Show," where he's still the announcer and sidekick.

THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON -- Episode 0819 -- Pictured: (l-r) Announcer Steve Higgins with Host Jimmy Fallon during &quot;Catchphrase&quot; on February 8, 2018 -- (Photo by: Andrew Lipovsky/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)

NBC

"The Tonight Show" announcer Steve Higgins, left, and host Jimmy Fallon play "Catchphrase" on a 2018 episode. (Andrew Lipovsky/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)

Fallon, who became a star as a "Saturday Night Live" cast member from 1998-2004. Unlike Carson and Higgins, he does not have obvious Iowa ties.

The 2024 Iowa State Fair runs 11 days, Aug. 8-18, with the annual parade kicking things off Aug. 7 in downtown Des Moines.

The butter cow has been an annual attraction at the State Fair since 1911. Sarah Pratt of West Des Moines was named the fair's fifth butter sculptor in 2006 after 15 years as an apprentice to Duffy Lyon.

Companion sculptures of the butter cow have been a tradition since at least 1996 when Grant Wood's famous "American Gothic" painting was immortalized. Last year's fair featured iconic Iowa athletes Jack Trice, Kurt Warner and Caitlin Clark.

See all of our Iowa State Fair coverage here.