Spring Newsletter: 2018, 2008, & 1998

What’s happening with the Blue Ribbon Foundation?
If you haven’t already, check out the Foundations spring newsletter. We shared important information on how you can be a Blue Ribbon Volunteer, how you can contribute to the Foundations mission at the Corndog Kickoff, how you can nominate someone for Iowan of the Day, and details about Planned Giving and Birdies for Charity.

This spring the newsletter featured Accu-Steel in the donor profile for their continuous support of the Blue Ribbon Foundation. Jason and his wife Alison, owners of Accu-Steel, donated a hoop-structure building in 2017. This hoop structure stores the Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition center’s arena footing when not used in the building. The family is proud supporters of the Iowa State Fair. “The Iowa State Fair will stand the test of time. As technology evolves and people change, the Iowa State Fair will continue to hold the traditions that were created when it first started, and be a place for special gatherings and lifelong memories,” says Jason.

The Iowa State Fair preparation is in full swing as new projects include the John and Emily Putney Family Cattle Barn, the restrooms at the Administration building, the milking parlor, the Grandstand and East 31st Street.

What was the Blue Ribbon Foundation doing 10 years ago?
Construction was taking place on the outdoor arena and stalling barn east of the Swine Barn. The project replaced the arena west of the Horse Barn. Now the barn has 188 stalls. The project finished just in time for 2008 Iowa State Fair!

In the spring of 2008, planning for the Corndog Kickoff was in full swing! The patron program was included in the newsletter as well. Along with that, the newsletter shared opportunities to get involved and be a Blue Ribbon Volunteer through the Farmer’s Market, the Des Moines Art Festival and of course the Iowa State Fair.

Highlighted in the spring issue was Carl’s Concessions. Kirby and Carla Wood got involved in the Blue Ribbon Foundation through the Corndog Kickoff as concessionaires, offering their famous Gizmo Sandwich to attendants at the 2008 Corndog Kickoff. Still, to this day Carla donates to the Corndog Kickoff with her Gizmo Sandwiches.

What was the Blue Ribbon Foundation doing 20 years ago?
In the spring of 1998, everyone was celebrating a new generation of tractors! In honor of the historical relationship between the Iowa State Fair and John Deere, the Blue Ribbon Foundation was granted the exclusive rights to produce 3,500 limited edition John Deere 4010 collector tractors. The 1/16 model of the 4010 was the second series produced exclusively for the Blue Ribbon Foundation by Ertl Collectibles. With only 3,500 little tractors being produced, you can only imagine how fast those sold!

Susan Terry, party committee chair for the Corndog Kickoff, appeared as the donor profile in the newsletter. “I have never had more fun working harder than I did on the Corndog Kickoff,” said Susan. “In raising money for last year’s event, I found that people responded more positively to donating for the Iowa State Fair than any other organization I have been involved with. People have an affection for this institution that is unlike anything else I have ever experienced.”

It is so refreshing to look back on newsletters and see not much has changed, the Iowa State Fair will always be a longstanding tradition that we, as Iowans are so proud of! The Blue Ribbon Foundation thanks the donors that helped shape our organization, from 20 years ago into what it is today. We look forward to growing with our current and future supporters.

-Macy Evans