State Fair Collection

This week, volunteers are staffing the Blue Ribbon Foundation’s merchandise booth during the Iowa Beef Expo. Some of the items for sale include the Sky Glider ornament, State Fair plaques and the 17th Edition Cookbook. It's safe to say, these are the most popular items.  Each year the Blue Ribbon Foundation creates a new ornament, pottery piece, and plaque to sell during the Fair. The cookbook is published every two years with new recipes.  Several Blue Ribbon Foundation supporters purchase the souvenir items each year to add to their personal collections. 

 

That got me thinking about collecting things in general. People collect stamps, coins, baseball cards, comic books, or almost anything. 

 

As a kid, my sisters and I had hundreds of beanie babies, keychains, and Barbie dolls.  My stuffed animal collection filled my closet. At one point, I think I even collected the little shampoo bottles from hotels.  I thought my parents collected everything. Thimbles, Hard Rock Café guitar pins, Oreo cookie tins, Red Wing crocks, rare beer bottles, Depression glassware, football memorabilia, and the list goes on.  

 

Each year, my mom buys one of the mini crocks sold from a booth in Pioneer Hall. It’s become a tradition that Pioneer Hall is the first building they explore on their trip to the Fair. I'd be willing to bet there are other Fairgoers that have State Fair collections. Maybe it’s a collection of the ribbons won during competitions, a yearly design made from the Spin Art booth or ticket stubs from a favorite Grandstand concert. 

 

One reason I think people collect things is to keep their favorite memories alive. The Foundation is perfect for helping Fairgoers do just that. Each year, new merchandise items can be added to your collection - ornaments, lapel pins, postcards, cookbooks, pottery pieces and State Fair plaques. Check out the State Fair Store for all our merchandise items. If you have a special memory at the Iowa State Fair, we can help you keep that moment for years to come with one of our giving programs. 

 

The engraved bricks, pavers and plaques are part of a bigger collection on the Fairgrounds. They represent individual memories that together make the State Fair special to so many Iowans.

 

For all Fair-lovers, keep adding to your collection. We appreciate your continued support of our work to preserve the Fairgrounds for future generations and all the memories in the making.