Blue Ribbon Bench Program

The benches are back! After a seven year hiatus, popular demand and new renovation projects have allowed us to reopen our bench program. A limited number of park benches will be added on the Iowa State Fairgrounds in the areas listed below. Benches are available for $1,200.

If you are interested in purchasing a bench, please use our
secure online order form or download and print our order form and return with payment by March 31 to guarantee its placement before the Fair. As the number of benches is limited, they will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.

- Horse Shoe Courts
- Outdoor Arena/Warm up Arena
- Youth Inn

Upon receipt of your order, you will receive a letter confirming your bench inscription. Should the benches be filled in a particular area before your response is received, you will be contacted to arrange another location. You will be notified of the specific location of your bench within your desired area when it is placed.

We appreciate your support and interest in the renovation and restoration efforts of the Blue Ribbon Foundation. Please contact Allyson with any questions at 515-262-3111 Ext. 675.


2011 Roll of Donors

At the end of each year, in our winter newsletter we honor those who have supported the Blue Ribbon Foundation. Due to the space restrictions in the printed newsletter, only those who have given a collective amount of $100 and greater since 1993 are listed. However, all gifts of any size are important to us, which is why we list those who have donated $1-$99 here on our website.

Thanks to all who have supported the Foundation the past nineteen years. For the list of those who have donated a collective amount of $100 and greater, please see our winter newsletter.

Fairgrounds 5K Results
A full list of race results and official times can be found on Race Monkey's website here. Thanks to everyone who came out and supported us on race day!

Blue Ribbon Blog

The Blue Ribbon Foundation has its own blog! Visit our blog to see what's happening at the Foundation and for behind the scenes updates as we prepare for the Corndog Kickoff and the Iowa State Fair!

Iowa State Fair Lithograph

This lithograph features the large panel created by Sarah Grant of Sticks to recognize the Iowa State Fair’s sesquicentennial in 2004. On display in Richard O. Jacobson Hall during the Fair, the panel highlights the history and traditions of the Fair we all know and love. A portion of the proceeds from the framed lithograph are donated back to the Foundation to support our renovation efforts. To place an order, please visit Sticks' website.


Limited Edition Board Game
Commemorating the Iowa State Fair, this custom-designed board game will be available at the 2009 Fair with a limited run of 6,000 games. Get a sneak-peek at the game board.

Watch Iowa Public Television's video coverage on It's a Fair Game: