Welcome to the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation’s blog!
We are a non-profit organization with a mission to raise funds for the renovation and preservation of the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds. Since our inception in 1993, the Foundation has raised more than $200 million through individual contributions, state appropriations, in-kind services, and corporate, federal and state grants.
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The 2014 Iowa State Fair is just two short weeks away! I can hardly believe that we are almost to the main event. It seems like everywhere I go people are gearing up for the Fair. The marquee on University has the Iowa State Fair on it, and I heard my first Fair commercial on the radio this morning. I guess it’s safe to say, the Fair is in the air! As we have gotten closer to the Fair, more and more people have been stopping into the office, each one excited for those historic 11 days. I hope you are all just as excited! The 2014 Iowa State Fair will be here before you know it!
On another note, I am pleased to announce the 2014 Iowan of the Day winners. This year we had many strong nominations, each one unique in its own way. A special congratulation goes out to all of the winners.
Wilbur Cordes of Allison
Robert Ray of Des Moines
Merlyn Feddersen of Hartley
Bob Norris of Shenandoah
Joan Allsup of Mitchellville
Cecil Rueter of Grand Junction
Karen Spurgeon of Bloomfield
Don Hinners of Carroll
Devere Ganzer of Grand Mound
Marybeth Jaggard of Oelwein
See you all in just two weeks!
-Emily
It’s the middle of July, and if you live in the state of Iowa, that means its County Fair time. County fairs all around the state are in full swing and showcasing the best of the best. If you know my family—our life pretty much revolves around the Fair. Throughout the year, my sisters and I would spend hours getting our 4-H projects ready for that long-anticipated week. Preparation would entail re-sewing the zipper for the twentieth time in my clothing project, attempting to lead a stubborn steer or dragging an unruly goat across our yard, and most likely, gluing the upholstery on a refinished chair the morning of project evaluation. No matter the chaos that the Fair brought about, my family soaked it all in.
This weekend, I am headed back home to Northwest Iowa to gear up for the O’Brien County Fair in Primghar, Iowa where the 4-H Building is packed full of unique projects, Pizza Ranch is the meal of choice for dinner, and the Figure 8 races can be heard for miles around. Despite living in Des Moines for the summer and working at the Iowa State Fair, I can’t seem to slip away and miss a day at the O’Brien County Fair. I try my best to still stay involved—I help coordinate the King & Queen Contest and the Bill Riley Talent Show—and keep in touch with those who grew up around the Fair like me.
It always amazes me how fast this time of year rolls around. We wait all year long for a week full of ribbons and fried food, and in the blink of an eye, it is gone! Before you know it, it will be time for the big one—the Iowa State Fair. We are busy at the Blue Ribbon Foundation putting together the final details for the “Amazingly Amusing” Iowa State Fair. Be sure to try the new Fair Berry Crunch Fair Square, check out the new merchandise items, and sneak a peek at the new improvements at the Cultural Center and Youth Inn.
There is going to be lots of amazing thing to see, and amusing things to do...we hope to see you there!
-Paris
The 18th Annual Corndog Kickoff has come and gone, and what an amazing night it was! We all had a great time Rock’ n Round the Grounds and couldn’t have done it without the amazing support of so many people.
Thank you to everyone who bid on and/or bought auction packages, bandanas, and centerpieces; those who volunteered their time before or during the event; and the many concessionaires who donated their time and food. We couldn’t have put on the Corndog Kickoff without you!
A huge thank you also goes out to everyone who purchased tickets and attended the event. We hope you had a great night, and are now all geared up for the quickly approaching 2014 Iowa State Fair!
With only 23 days until opening day, everyone at the Blue Ribbon Foundation is busy working to make this year’s Fair the best it can be!
Once again, thanks to everyone who made the Corndog Kickoff the great success that it was. We’ll see you all again at the Iowa State Fair!
-Emily
Learn more about the 2014 Corndog Kickoff during Drew's interview with Great Day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rptvz1-7LJ8
Who’s excited for the Corndog Kickoff? Me! I can’t believe it is only a few weeks away. At the beginning of the summer July 12 seemed like a date so far off in the distance, I didn’t think it would ever come! But here we are, twelve days from the Corndog Kickoff. Soon we’ll be Rock’ n Round the Grounds, and we hope you’ll join us! As auction items are coming into the office, tickets and auction booklets are leaving the office. Have your purchased your tickets for the Kickoff yet?
Today is the last day to purchase tickets for $75. Starting tomorrow the price will go up to $100 per ticket. Tickets can be ordered online or by calling the Blue Ribbon Foundation at 800-450-3732. To make sure you don’t miss out on this great deal, purchase your tickets today! Tickets will be sold up until the event on Saturday, July 12.
Special thanks to everyone who donated to this year’s Corndog Kickoff. We couldn’t do it without you!
-Emily
2013 Corndog Kickoff
If you have ever taken a drive through Northwest Iowa near the small town of Granville, you can't miss the famed “Vosburg Field”. Placed between a cornfield backdrop and Highway 10, Vosburg is home to the Spalding Catholic Spartans, my Alma mater, where life revolves around high school baseball. Growing up in the small town of Granville, baseball and softball filled my summer schedule. I was "Lefty" on the field and my Mom loved my dirt-filled cleats coming into the house every night. Naturally, my family had little time to take short vacations to attend “big time” baseball games as we ran from one game to the next until the O’Brien County Fair, and then, of course, the Iowa State Fair rolled around. None the less, I wouldn't take one summer night away from my small-town Iowa experience.
Lucky for me, the Blue Ribbon Foundation staff took a trip to Principal Park this past Monday to watch the Iowa Cubs take on the Albuquerque Isotopes—my first I-Cubs game! Of course, I got my picture taken with Cubbie Bear with my fellow intern, Emily, and indulged in the typical ballpark food. Most of all, I loved the fact I got to enjoy watching a baseball game for the first time in a long while.
Don’t worry Fairgoers, the staff and I reluctantly returned to the offices in the afternoon to continue plans for the upcoming Corndog Kickoff on July 12. We are busy, busy, busy getting auction items ready, organizing food vendors, and prepping decorations. Tickets are now being sent out and headed to your doorstep! If you haven’t had the chance to get your tickets, hurry up! Prices will increase from $75 to $100 after June 30th until the night of the event.
Despite the chaos of the Corndog Kickoff and the Iowa State Fair (just around the corner), it was wonderful to kick back, relax, and enjoy America’s favorite pastime. I hope to see you soon at the Fairgrounds!
Happy Friday!
Paris Schnepf
Donor Relations Intern
Iowa is such a wonderful place to live, and I am truly lucky that I get to call this place home. As someone who has traveled to many different places in the United States, I have grown to truly appreciate the “Midwestern charm” that many Iowans seem to have. This charm can be seen through a dedication to one’s job, helping others, or even simply being dedicated and proud of living in Iowa. There are so many Iowa residents who truly embody these qualities. These Iowans deserve to be recognized. So the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and Cookies Food Products teamed up 18 years ago to honor some of the best Iowans in the state; we call it Iowan of the Day. I have been fortunate enough to spend some of my time reading through our Iowan of the Day nominations for this year. Reading through them has given me the opportunity to see just how much these nominees love Iowa. I know it will be tough for our selection committee to select just 10 winners, there are so many Iowans who are truly deserving!
If you are interested in nominating someone for this year’s Iowan of the Day you can find a nomination brochure and examples of supplemental materials online. All nominations must be received by July 1.
-Emily
What are you doing on July 12? If you don’t have plans, you do now! Saturday, July 12 will be the 18th Annual Corndog Kickoff and Fair Food Grazing Party at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. It’s the perfect way to gear up for this year’s Fair! Enjoy a night of Fair food, auction packages, Sky Glider rides, and fireworks. To order tickets, fill out an order form online, or call the Blue Ribbon Foundation at 515-262-3111 ext. 671. It will be a night to remember, so be sure to order your tickets soon.
As someone who has never been to the Corndog Kickoff before, to say I am excited is a huge understatement. I am elated, ecstatic, joyous, anxious, a little nervous, and so many other emotions! Everyone at the Blue Ribbon Foundation is in full preparation mode for the Corndog Kickoff. Donations keep rolling in and everyone is busy putting together packages and materials for the Kickoff. I personally am working on making bid sheets and description sheets for all of the packages, as well as making sure we have all of the forms and donations for the packages. It has been quite a bit of work, but I can’t wait to see the final product. We will all be Rock’ n Round the Grounds at the 2014 Corndog Kickoff and we can’t wait to see you there.
-Emily
