Save the Date
Happy New Year! The Blue Ribbon Foundation hopes everyone had a wonderful holiday. As you start to make plans for 2026, please add these dates to your calendar.
January: Grandstand Concert Announcements
- Rod Stewart and Lainey Wilson will both take the Grandstand Stage in August. If you love attending concerts, consider joining the Concert Club program. For an annual contribution of $3,000, you'll secure four “season” tickets to each Grandstand concert, along with four gate admission tickets and an on-grounds parking pass for each day of the Fair. Email Drew if you are interested in learning more.
February: Engraved Brick
- This Valentine’s Day, skip the traditional flowers and give a gift that lasts: an engraved brick. After all, nothing says “I love you” quite like the Iowa State Fair. With a $100 donation, you’ll support the Blue Ribbon Foundation’s mission while giving a one-of-a-kind gift. Personalize the inscription and place the brick at one of 15 brick pad locations across the Fairgrounds.
March 31: Deadline for Giving Programs
- Celebrate your Fair-loving family with an engraved paver or plaque on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Check out programs like, “Spirit of Generosity” or “Growing Our Future”. The deadline to have an item in place by the 2026 Iowa State Fair is March 31.
May: T-Shirt Design Contest
- The Blue Ribbon Foundation will sponsor a T-shirt Design Contest, welcoming Fair fans to submit designs that are original, creative and, of course, capture the essence of the Iowa State Fair. If your design wins, the T-shirt will be for sale in the official Iowa State Fair Stores. Funds from the sale of the T-shirt will support our mission of improving the historic Fairgrounds.
June: Volunteers
- Although we don’t have a specific sign-up date or deadline yet, June is the Blue Ribbon Foundation’s month to start recruiting volunteers. Each year, 600 Blue Ribbon Foundation volunteers donate their time and energy by helping sell merchandise and bottled water at the Foundation's many stands. We’d love to have your help. Email Brooklin for details.
July 1: Deadline to submit your Iowan of the Day application
- There are so many people across Iowa that contribute to making our cities, towns, and our state a better place to live, work, and raise a family. Now, more than ever - the Blue Ribbon Foundation wants to recognize the most deserving. Start working on your application now so we can honor the outstanding volunteer in your life.
July 11: Corndog Kickoff
- The Corndog Kickoff Benefit Auction and Fair Food Grazing Party is a fun-filled night with your favorite Fair foods and a variety of unique auction packages for bid to satisfy any State Fair enthusiast. As our largest fundraiser, this event gets you ready for the Iowa State Fair while making future renovation projects a possibility.
August 13-23: Iowa State Fair
- The Blue Ribbon Foundation is planning new and fun ways to engage donors during the Iowa State Fair! We will sell new merchandise, host BINGO, and show off all the improvements projects completed. Stay tuned for more updates over the next 8 months.
October: Souvenir Auction
- A selection of previous souvenirs and other memorabilia will be featured in an online auction. Some collectibles include the Foundation's lapel pins, staff-issued lapel pins, ornaments, Isabel Bloom sculptures, Sticks' plaques and a selection of Iowa State Fair mementos.
November 30: Internship Application Deadline
- This isn’t your average internship. Foundation interns are valued team members, entrusted with key responsibilities that support essential programs, helping ensure our donors maintain a lasting connection to the Iowa State Fair. Applications are due November 30.
These are just a few of the many opportunities the Blue Ribbon Foundation has planned for the year. Details about all of these exciting events and programs can be found on our website: www.BlueRibbonFoundation.org
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