Jul 26, 2024 - News

Des Moines' iconic cow sculptures get a new coat of paint

Jason Clayworth

A photo of Anderson Erickson's cow scultpures. — The mother-son duo stand at the intersection of Hubbell and University avenues. Photos: Courtesy of Anderson Erickson Dairy

Annie and Eric have been sanded and repainted just in time to welcome visitors to the Iowa State Fair, which starts Aug. 8.

Catch up quick: The iconic fiberglass cow sculptures are the mascots of Anderson Erickson Dairy and the informal ambassadors of Des Moines' fairgrounds neighborhoods.

Annie, who is 14 feet tall and weighs around 2,500 pounds, has been in place since 1966.
Her calf, Eric, is just under 6 feet tall and joined her in 1977.

The intrigue: A "cow caper" in 2007 ended in a stolen Eric and a damaged Annie.

Police soon after located the stolen sculpture and both were restored.

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Des Moines' iconic cow sculptures get a new coat of paint

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