Corndog Kickoff 2010: Building a Blue Ribbon Tradition

Mark your calendars for the fourteenth annual Corndog Kickoff set for Saturday, July 10, 2010 in the William C. Knapp Varied Industries Building!

A benefit auction and Fair food grazing party
Each July Fair-lovers whet their Iowa State Fair appetite by attending the Corndog Kickoff Benefit Auction and Fair Food Grazing Party. It is a night complete with live entertainment, all of your Fair food favorites, and a variety of auction packages to satisfy any Fair enthusiast.

The Corndog Kickoff began in 1997 in Pioneer Hall, with 460 attendees bidding on 20 live and 43 silent packages to raise over $67,000. The much anticipated event has enjoyed continued success and, in 2004, surpassed the $1 million mark for funds raised. Like the Iowa State Fair, the Kickoff has evolved over the last fourteen years, and has grown to encompass half of the William C. Knapp Varied Industries Building.

Thanks to all Corndog Kickoff supporters, the 2009 Kickoff raised over $232,000 for Fairgrounds renovation, more than triple the amount from the initial Kickoff in 1997!

In 2009, a record high of 1,400 fair lovers attended the auction which featured 43 live and 101 silent packages, bringing in $100,105! Auction packages contained such Fair exclusives as helping Sara Pratt sculpt the tail of the Fair's iconic butter cow and an opportunity to be a judge in the ugly ice cream contest at the 2009 Iowa State Fair. Other exciting auction items included two round-trip tickets to Florida on Southwest Airlines with four day passes to Disney World and tickets and backstage passes for four to the sold out Journey and Heart concert at the Fair.

The event is coordinated each spring by a committee of volunteers and Foundation staff members. Please let us know if you want to get involved in planning this very successful and fun party!

Contact Allyson for more information about the Corndog Kickoff.

Become a Corndog Kickoff fan on Facebook!

Click here to view Iowa Public Television's video footage from the 2007 Corndog Kickoff.

Watch special IPTV's coverage of the 2009 Corndog Kickoff!



Corndog Kickoff 2009: It's Game Time

Thank you to all who attended the thirteenth annual "It's Game Time!" Corndog Kickoff on Saturday, July 11, 2009. The evening was a success thanks to your support!

The fourteenth annual Corndog Kickoff is set for Saturday, July 10, 2010. Hope to see you there!

Check out the 2009 auction packages in the online auction book.