Summer Newsletter: 1999, 2009, and 2019

June 28, 2019
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What’s happening at the Blue Ribbon Foundation this summer?

The Blue Ribbon’s Summer Newsletter is out and up on the Foundation’s website. This issue highlights new Fair merchandise items, upcoming events such as the Corndog Kickoff, and of course a profile of some of our wonderful donors. Make sure to mark your calendar for the 2019 Corndog Kickoff on Saturday, July 13!

The Newsletter also includes information about Blue Ribbon’s ”Paint the Fair” classes held every day during the Fair. These will be held on the third floor of the Patty and Jim Cownie Cultural Center. Sign up early and get your spot!

What was happening 10 years ago?

Ten years ago, The Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center was under construction and was to be completed by the 2010 Fair. The Elwell Family Food Center had also recently been under construction, but was going to be open to the public for the first time during the 2009 Iowa State Fair.

This issue highlighted several different merchandise items including the new custom-designed board game “It’s a Fair Game”. A pottery wine chiller, Elwell Family Food Center lapel pin, china box, soup bowl mug, and ornament were also included as new merchandise items.

Lorne and Kathi Scharnberg, founders of Katecho Inc. were recognized as gracious donors in the donor profile of the newsletter. The Scharnbergs have been attending the Iowa State Fair since the 1980’s when they first moved to Iowa. Their love and faith in the Fair have brought them back to enjoy the fun Fair festivities year after year. The Scharnbergs have also been attending and donating to the Corndog Kickoff since 2001.

What was happening 20 years ago?

In the 1999 Summer Newsletter, former Blue Ribbon Executive Director John Putney is pictured on the front cover with former Governor Vilsack. On May 24, Vilsack signed the Iowa Legislature’s bill for state infrastructure funding into law, allocating $10 million over the next two years to rebuild the Varied Industries Building.

The Blue Ribbon Foundation was premiered several new and fun merchandise items for the 1999 Fair. Items included “Fair Buddies” stuffed animals, a variety of bucket hats, double-ferris wheel pins, embroidered shirts, stainless steel mugs, and covered bean pots. There were also several fun auction items allocated for that year’s Corndog Kickoff. Backstage passes with Reba McEntire, brand new Maytag Washer and Dryer, hot air balloon ride, and a ride on the Budweiser Clydesdale hitch were just a few!
The donor profile featured the Taylor family of Taylor Ball Industries. Jack and Gabriella Taylor have been longtime Fairgoers and love supporting the Fair through the Blue Ribbon Foundation’s creative fundraising and giving programs.

Many things have changed over the years but one thing remains the same. The Blue Ribbon Foundation helps thousands of Iowa State Fair fans like you show their support through giving programs, membership programs and fundraising events. Our organization will continue to raise funds to preserve and improve the Iowa State Fairgrounds for the next 10 and 20 years!