Welcome to the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation’s blog!
We are a non-profit organization with a mission to raise funds for the renovation and preservation of the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds. Since our inception in 1993, the Foundation has raised more than $200 million through individual contributions, state appropriations, in-kind services, and corporate, federal and state grants.
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This week marks a much calmer week without the World Pork Expo on the Fairgrounds. As strange as it was to see the Fairgrounds filled, it’s just as strange to see the Fairgrounds bare again too.
Two weeks from this Friday marks the last day to submit Iowan of the Day nominations. As much as I’ve loved reading through old nominations, I can’t wait to see this year’s Iowan of the Day winners.
Caroline Lehman of New London, Iowa is the fifth and halfway point of my 2015 Iowan of the Day spotlights.
Lehman is best known for her work as curator for the Dover Museum in New London. Lehman creates exhibits and goes above and beyond to educate the New London community about Iowa’s history. Through the State Historical Society of Iowa, Lehman worked to bring a traveling exhibit about Iowa’s involvement in the Civil War to New London. Lehman was also influential in getting a railroad depot moved across Iowa to place in the Dover Museum’s railroad collection.
If this wasn’t enough, Lehman served as a committee chair for the 175th annual celebration of New London’s founding. During the celebration, the event honored local veterans and brought the community together.
Lehman also volunteers with her church, works with the local wellness center, serves as secretary of the Henry County Historic Preservation Commission and prepares food for shut-ins and funeral dinners. Lehman’s work has not gone unnoticed by the community as she was recognized as Citizen of the Year in 2009.
People from across Iowa do outstanding things for their community and through this program we’re striving to “celebrate local Olympians.” If you know of someone who deserves recognition, consider nominating them as Iowan of the Day! I would love to see more applications than I have been receiving and would appreciate your help in spreading the word. Tell your friends, family and coworkers to nominate a community member today!
-Audra
With World Pork Expo in full swing, the fairgrounds have been a bit crazy. Coming from a livestock background, events like this get me fired up. I love seeing people from all over the world come to the east side of Des Moines to learn and partake in all the activities the World Pork Expo has to offer. With a large event like this and the State Fair of course, the Fairgrounds use an unbelievable amount of energy.
Recently, the Fairgrounds electrical department was fortunate enough to participate in a rebate program through MidAmerican Energy and received a $71,300 check. The Fair was able to accept 568 LED two inch by four inch troughers that have little to no maintenance and last up to 8 years. To be considered for this program, the fixtures had to be bought by December 2015. The troughers don’t have light bulbs so they don’t require a great amount of upkeep. The William C. Knapp Varied Industries Building will be the home for all 568 of the lights. In order to be able to put the LED lights in a building, they have a requirement that the lights have to burn for 1,000 hours. Since the William C. Knapp Varied Industries Building is highly used, it qualified for the program.
The William C. Knapp Varied Industries is also where the Blue Ribbon Foundation holds their upcoming Corndog Kickoff Benefit Auction and Fair Food Grazing Party. Be sure to check out the new lights that MidAmerican Energy has supplied to the Fair. If you haven’t purchased your tickets, be sure to do that at http://blueribbonfoundation.org/events/corndog-kickoff, by calling (800)450-3732 or at the door the night of the event.
Charlie Crawford, Robin, and Mitch Frazier - Key Account Manager for MidAmerican
(Inside the Varied Industries Building at the World Pork Expo)
-Francesca
As the deadline to submit Iowan of the Day applications quickly approaches on July 1, I’ve had more time to look over the accomplishments of our past winners.
2015 winner Elaine Bohling from Greenfield, Iowa is an outstanding role model for the youth in her community.
Elaine spearheads the youth action committee in Fontanelle, Iowa and led a team of local youth to apply for and receive three grants to renovate the “Fontanelle slab.” The slab, which once served as a hang-out to play basketball and roller-skate, had turned into an eye sore before Elaine and her youth committee restored the local favorite. Along with this project, Elaine and the youth plant flowers around Fontanelle each year for residents to enjoy.
As a 4H leader for over 15 years, Elaine helps to organize volunteers for the popstand at the local fair as well as workshops for her club. Elaine is a co-founder and volunteer of Pride of Iowa and has served as both a State and Area 4H Awards interviewer and 4H judge.
Elaine also takes ten days off of work each year to volunteer at the Iowa State Fair! As if this wasn’t enough, Elaine helps with her church’s bible school, is a member of Friends of the Library, ushers for the Des Moines Playhouse and serves Thanksgiving dinner at the Machine Shed.
It’s easy to see why Elaine was named an Iowan of the Day. If you know of anyone who gives their time to serve others and their community, nominate them today! Applications have been coming in more slowly and I would love to read more about all the wonderful things Iowans do for this great state.
Thanks for reading and I can't wait for all those Iowan of the Day applications!
-Audra
The saying “time flies when you’re having fun” definitely has a meaning this summer. When working on my projects at the Foundation, I tell myself I have plenty of time, but in reality the summer is going by quickly. We are down to 36 days until the Corndog Kickoff and 69 days until the great Iowa State Fair. It seems like yesterday I was walking in the front doors of our earth home office and we had 95 days until the Fair. Although I have gotten a number of things done since I’ve been here, it puts in perspective just how fast days can go by when you are working toward a great summer filled with awesome events.
Since 1997, the Foundation has been holding the Corndog Kickoff Benefit Auction and Fair Food Grazing Party. This is a fun-filled pre-Fair celebration that offers a live and silent auction, Fair food favorites, Sky Glider rides, and fireworks. This is the largest fundraiser that the Blue Ribbon Foundation hosts and since 1997 has helped raise over $4.4 million to put towards renovations of the beloved Iowa State Fairgrounds. In 2005 I got the opportunity to attend this great event and I can tell you I am thrilled to be a member of the team that makes it all possible. We have over 230 silent auction and almost 30 live auction packages this year for the 20th annual celebration. All hands are on deck this week at the office proofing materials and putting final pieces together for the event.
Tickets can be purchased ahead of time or at the door the night of the event. Until June 30th tickets are $75 each and after that they bump up to $100. You will not want to miss this unique opportunity to share in our “Locally Grown” traditions before the fair starts.
Speaking of upcoming events on the Fairgrounds, the Iowa Pork Producers and National Pork Board have been working hard to prepare for the World Pork Expo which starts next week. Be sure to swing by and check out this incredible event filled with thousands of people, great food and top-of-the-line hogs.
(Early days of the Corndog Kickoff held in Pioneer Hall)
-Francesca
The first day back from a long weekend brings the first day of the Principal Charity Classic!
Birdies for Charity, a portion of the Principal Charity Classic, is taking place May 31 to June 5 at the Wakonda Club in Des Moines. There’s still time to pledge to the Blue Ribbon Foundation through the Principal Charity Classic website. For all of you unfamiliar with the sport of golf, a birdie is one stroke less than par and par is the average amount of strokes per hole. Through the fundraiser, people can pledge a certain amount per birdie at the Principal Charity Classic. The money pledged through Birdies for Charity goes to support the Blue Ribbon Foundation's mission of preserving and renovating the Iowa State Fairgrounds with current projects like the Oman Family Youth Inn. 
2015 was the most profitable year for charities with the event raising over $1.4 million. This Principal Charity Classic also saw over 77,000 attendees, so enjoy the nice weather this week and head out to the Wakonda Club to watch golf celebrities play!
These celebrities include last year’s Classic winner Mark Calcavecchia as well as John Daly, both of whom have won the British Open. After winning the Classic last year, Calcavecchia received bacon inspired slacks and a bacon belt, both of which he fully intends on wearing this year.
Other celebrities that will be in attendance include 18 golfers who won majors from the PGA Tour Champions as well as the winners of the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic, the Mitsubishi Electric Championship and the Allianz Championship.
You don’t want to miss out on this great event, and we can’t wait to see this year’s results. Enjoy watching the Principal Charity Classic Birdies for Charity!
-Audra
I am closing in on week 3 working at the Blue Ribbon Foundation and this place is definitely a “birdie.” A “birdie” is one stroke better than par in the game of golf. My internship experience has been anything but par over the last three weeks. The love and passion for the Iowa State Fair and the Foundation that fills the air is incredible. Learning about different areas and the history of the Foundation has been very eye opening.
One of the greatest features of the Foundation is that it targets people of all ages and offers giving programs to accommodate all different levels. One of our newest giving programs is the partnership with the Principal Charity Classic’s “Birdies for Charity” fundraiser. Supporters can make a pledge based on the number of “birdies” made by Champions Tour players during the 2016 Principal Charity Classic, May 31-June 5. For more information, visit The Principal Charity Classic website.
Years ago, the Blue Ribbon Foundation hosted a golf outing as a way to show appreciation for our current donors. This was also a way for the Foundation to meet with some prospective donors to discuss what new projects were happening on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. 2008 was the last golf outing and this is the second year partnering with Principal Charity Classic’s Birdies for Charity program.
Thank you for continuing to show your love and support for the Blue Ribbon Foundation. Check out more information on our website.
(BRF staff and Interns at the 2006 golf outing)
-Francesca