Northfield Graduate is Princess Kay Finalist at Minnesota State Fair

Two weeks from now, Jennifer Janak will have to decide what to do with a 60-pound frozen butter sculpture of herself.

As one of 12 finalists in the Princess Kay of the Milky Way competition, the 2010 graduate will have her likeness carved from a 90-pound block at the Minnesota State Fair. The competition’s winner, to be crowned Wednesday night, is the official goodwill ambassador for the state’s 4,500 dairy farmers.

“I really love the dairy farmers and their hard work and their dedication to their communities,” said Janak, 19, the daughter of Roger and Julie Janak, who works on a Holstein farm near her home. “They work hard to make sure their animals are healthy … and produce a nutritious product.”

Janak begins her second year this fall as an animal science major at the University of Minnesota with a pre-veterinary emphasis.

Her trip to the top 12 began earlier this year when she was named one of three county princesses for Dakota County’s dairy association. About 60 county princesses from around Minnesota then competed in St. Joseph in late May. Then, as at the final level, candidates were judged on their communication skills and knowledge of the dairy industry.

“I went into it thinking whatever happens, happens,” Janak said. But that thought was replaced with, “Oh my goodness, that’s me!” as her name was announced. The fact still took a few days to sink in, she added.

According to the Midwest Dairy Association, “Dairy princesses serve as spokespeople to consumers, conduct media interviews, make classroom visits to educate students about the dairy industry, give speeches to various organizations and make public appearances at promotions or events.”

But what many Minnesotans know the Princess Kay finalists best for are their butter likenesses.

A 40-degree room in the Dairy Barn is home during the fair to sculptor Linda Christensen, who works in full-view of the public and whose sculptures are on display throughout the fair. Princess Kay finalists, Janak said, receive a coat to wear during the 6- to 8-hour sittings for their sculptures, but have to supply their own mittens and boots.

The winner will have their likeness carved Thursday; if not crowned, Janak is scheduled to be sculpted on Sept. 1.

Janak said she’s not sure yet just what she’ll do with her butter sculpture. After it makes its way to her family’s freezer—Princess Kay veterans recommend boxing it up and strapping it in a car seat for the trip home—she said she may save it for a graduation party, wedding, corn feed or the next Dakota County dairy association banquet.

Finalists also get to take home all the butter scraps carved out of the original 90-pound block.

“Maybe I’ll bake a little,” Janak laughed.