The Fair is Here!

We are under 24 hours out from the 2022 Iowa State Fair, and we are so excited to find our fun tomorrow!

Just in case you are wanting to visit us at the Fair, we’ve put together a quick guide of where the Blue Ribbon Foundation will be at during the big event. Our only event of the Fair is BINGO! On Wednesday, August 17 from 9am to 7pm on the Grand Concourse. No registration is necessary! For $1 a card, join in the fun with a 50/50 jackpot prize from each game. Half of the proceeds of the round go to the winner and half go to the Blue Ribbon Foundation’s mission of preserving and renovating the Fairgrounds. While this is our only event of the Fair, we do have a presence on the Fairgrounds throughout the entire Fair.

The Blue Ribbon Foundation runs all of the merchandise booths located around the Fairgrounds selling official Iowa State Fair merchandise. From t-shirts to books to hats and everything in between, these stands are sure to satisfy everyone’s merchandise needs. There are 6 merchandise stands this year, located in the following spots.

• Service Center – main ‘store’
• Varied Industries Building South Lobby
• Cattle Barn Foyer
• Agriculture Building -- check here for all your Butter Cow needs, including the new Butter Cow soap from Buff City Soaps!
• Little Hands on the Farm grocery store
• Museum – this location features $5 t-shirts from previous Fairs and other previous year’s merchandise alongside this year’s items!

The other main project we run during the Fair is the selling of bottled water around the Fairgrounds. There will be 7 water booths this year, selling bottled water, koozies and cooling towels. They are located at the following locations.

• Service Center
• Bill Riley Stage
• Thrill Town
• Cattle Barn
• Agriculture Building
• Heritage Village
• Little Hands on the Farm

We also recommend checking out the new Duffy’s Cow and Calf statue that is located in front of the Agriculture Building. This statue honors Duffy Lyon, the butter cow sculptor, and was graciously funded by Iowa State Fair enthusiast BJ Baker.

Make sure to visit the 2022 renovation projects to see the improvements around the Fairgrounds! Most notable is the new Alliant Energy Landing, located south of the Livestock Pavilion. Other renovations include the progress at Elwell Family Park to include an overhang, the 2022 TAG Team project of restoring the west façade of Pioneer Hall, and the Kitchen, located in the Maytag Family Theaters.   

 We hope you have a great 2022 Iowa State Fair and enjoy all the Fair has to offer, from exhibits and competitions, to shows, concerts, and entertainment, and everything in between!

- Laura Noehren, Business Relations Intern