Corndog Kickoff 2010: Building a Blue Ribbon Tradition
Thank you to all who attended the fourteenth annual Corndog Kickoff on Saturday, July 10, 2010. The evening was a success thanks to your support! With your help we raised over $227,000 for Fairgrounds renovations!

View the great auction packages that were auctioned off at the 2010 Kickoff in the auction book!

Corndog Kickoff Tickets Available
Don't miss out on this year's Corndog Kickoff...get your tickets now! Tickets are available for $100 and can also be purchased at the door. (If you purchase tickets after July 6th, please pick up your tickets at will call the night of the event in the south atrium of the VI Building.) Click here to get your tickets today!

Become a Corndog Kickoff Patron!
You can help us build our blue ribbon tradition by becoming a Corndog Kickoff Patron. Click here for explanation of the five levels available. As a patron, you will receive admission tickets and recognition in event publicity materials.Grand Champion, Champion, and Blue Ribbon levels receive reserved seating and priority entrance to the event.

Sign up online and become a patron today! Or, download the patron card and mail to:

Iowa State Fair
Blue Ribbon Foundation
PO Box 57130
Des Moines, IA 50317

Donate an Auction Item!
Please consider making a donation to Corn Dog Kickoff Auction to help support
Fairgrounds renovation projects. Donating an auction package consisting of a product or service you provide is an excellent way to promote your company. Benefits for auction donors are similar to those for patrons (listed above), though reserved tables begin at the Champion level.

If you are interested in donating an auction item to the Kickoff, please fill out and return the donation form by May 5 for inclusion in our printed materials. Donated items are needed by June 25. If you have further questions about donating an auction item, please contact Robin.



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!