2022 Iowa State Fair Recap: August 11,12,13

The 2022 Iowa State Fair was one for the books! Thank you to the Blue Ribbon Foundation supporters, volunteers, interns, summer staff, Fair staff - the list goes on and on. The next few weeks I’ll highlight the Blue Ribbon Foundation’s incredible 2022 Iowa State Fair.

The first 10 days of the Fair, the Blue Ribbon Foundation honors our “Iowan of the Day" winners. These volunteers go above and beyond to make their individual communities a better place to live.

Kristin Swift - Bondurant (August 11): Kristin has a passion for education in her community. She works tirelessly to help the students in her school district through her work as President and Treasurer of the Parent-Teacher organization. Her work ethic is not only seen in the school community but shines through her volunteer tutor work at church, serving as soccer club treasurer and helping to bring foreign exchange students to Iowa as Chair of the American Field Services organization.

Deborah Whitaker – Keokuk (August 12): Deborah created the organization Veggies for Vets. The organization supplies garden seeds, plants and more so our veterans can have fresh, healthy food to grow on their own. Deborah has spent countless hours providing produce to veterans and will continue to support those that have served our country.

Barb Westercamp - Cedar Rapids (August 13): Barb has been the local coordinator and a national advocate for Reading is Fundamental for 15 years and has been a Reading is Fun volunteer coordinator for 10 years. Barb has been involved with the Iowa Character Counts program, organized the Veterans of Foreign Wars youth essay contest, assisted with scholarships for the American Legion, served as coach for National History Day and has coordinated a Civility Workshop.

On opening day of the Iowa State Fair, the Blue Ribbon Foundation helped launch the new book “Baking Blue Ribbons” in the Elwell Family Food Center. Highlighting the history, stories, and recipes from the very first Fair in 1854 through 2021, the book “Baking Blue Ribbons” showcases what it means to be part of the Iowa State Fair Food Department. Authors, Kay Fenton Smith and Carol McGarvey, spoke about the adventure of writing the book and how the proceeds will benefit the Food Department for years to come.

Fairgoers could enjoy a new sculpture on the Fairgrounds in front of the Agriculture Building. The art is a tribute to the Butter Cow Sculptor for over 46 years, Norma "Duffy" Lyon. This bronze statue is one of three placed in Iowa. Thanks to BJ Baker and his wife, Tiffany, the Iowa State Fairgrounds is now home to one of these special statues.

Volunteers are extremely important to our organization ALL 11 days of the Iowa State Fair. Thank you to nearly 600 volunteers who spent 5,050 hours ensuring that the 2022 Iowa State Fair was a success. Your valuable time spent raising funds to support the mission of the Blue Ribbon Foundation was much appreciated.

In addition to our volunteers, and full time staff – the Blue Ribbon Foundation relies on our summer interns to make our organization successful. The 2022 Business Relations Intern, Laura Noehren, did an incredible job assisting the Sponsorship Director this year by… organizing signage, concert tickets, moving in/out coordination, tracking payments, mapping out space and so, so much more! Thank you Laura!

Stay tuned for more 2022 Iowa State Fair highlights!