2025 Iowa State Fair Recap: August 10, 11, 12
The first Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday brought a slight slowdown for the Blue Ribbon Foundation. However, after the opening weekend, the staff settled into a solid routine, efficiently getting work done while enjoying the excitement of the Iowa State Fair.
This year’s Iowan of the Day winners were among the most inspiring individuals in our state.
Donna Koch - Cedar Rapids (August 10): A lifelong educator, Donna dedicated the first fifteen years of her professional life to teaching kindergarten and the next twenty-five years to developing elementary school libraries as a library specialist. Donna's passion for youth education burned brighter than ever in retirement. As a volunteer, she managed her region of the "Reading Is Fundamental" program, which boasted twenty-two volunteers across twenty-two learning centers. Her work also involved securing federal grants and serving as a congressional "Reading Is Fundamental" lobbyist. Donna has served as a Cedar Rapids Library Board member, church librarian, Daughters of the American Revolution State Regent and member of Questers, an organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of historical items and sites.
Roger & Mary Sue Chatfield – Keokuk (August 11): Roger and Mary Sue Chatfield have been a dynamic team since their marriage in 1960. While Roger operated their family farm in rural Montrose, Mary Sue taught first grade. In retirement, the couple has dedicated extensive volunteer hours to making their community a better place. In 2004, Roger and Mary Sue helped found Montrose Riverfront, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to beautifying and revitalizing Montrose. Mary Sue enhances fundraising efforts by writing successful grant proposals and organizing community events. Roger contributed his expertise to transforming an agricultural supply building to the Hunold Heritage Center, a local museum. Roger also spent several summers maintaining flower boxes he established around town while Mary Sue wrote weekly feature articles about Montrose for local newspapers. To this day, she is editor of the New Montrose Journal and a correspondent for the Keokuk Daily Gate City and the Fort Madison Daily Democrat. Together, Roger and Mary Sue have made a profound impact on their community.
Ruby Thomas - Coin (August 12): Outside of her full-time job in Clarinda, Ruby volunteers as the Coin City Council cemetery sexton. Since she assumed this position three years ago, Ruby has transformed Coin's Elmwood Cemetery from a dilapidated graveyard to a model cemetery whose maintenance other cemetery sextons study in order to replicate. When Ruby first became sexton, the city had no real budget or funds set aside for her work. Through a local fundraising campaign, Ruby raised over $11,000 for cemetery renovations. This total continues to increase today. Ruby's projects include repairing damaged headstones, resetting tombstones and maintaining the grounds. Her work has impacted families near and far whose loved ones are buried at the Elmwood Cemetery.
On the first Sunday of the Iowa State Fair, the Blue Ribbon Foundation hosts a brunch to celebrate some of our most loyal donors, members of the 1854 Society. This year’s event was held in the Alliant Energy Landing. The updated shelter house is just one of many examples of Fairgrounds improvements made over the years. Some new improvements for 2025 included:
Ron & Bev Shivers Family Plaza: Thank you to the Shivers Family for their generous donation to create a beautiful plaza. The project featured open seating, landscaping, and brand-new restrooms. Between JR’s Southpork Ranch and Old West BBQ, the plaza enhanced the Fairgoer experience by providing a gathering area where Fair visitors could relax, dine, and soak in the wonderful Iowa State Fair atmosphere.
Pella Plaza: In honor of Pella Corporation’s 100th anniversary, the company gave the Pella Plaza area of the Fairgrounds a fresh new look. With updated landscaping and maintenance improvements, the area really shined at this year’s Fair. The popular misting fountains continued offering a cool, relaxing spot for guests to enjoy. Congratulations to Pella Corporation on this incredible milestone. The Blue Ribbon Foundation is proud to help celebrate your century of success.
Expo Hill: Fairgoers could take in a beautiful view of the lower Fairgrounds from the newly added seating on Expo Hill, located beneath the wind turbine. With the addition of several benches, Adirondack chairs, and tables, it was the perfect spot to relax any time of day. A special thank you to Paul & Kiki Curtis for their generous donation in support of this enhancement.
Livestock Pavilion Sound System: Updating the sound system in an old building is essential to meet modern standards of audio quality and functionality, while preserving the building's historical character. An upgraded sound system enabled clearer speech ensuring all attendees could engage fully with events. The new system enhanced a visitor’s experience and ensures the Livestock Pavilion remains functional and appealing for all audiences.
The Blue Ribbon Foundation sold official souvenirs in the State Fair Store located in the Robert and Sheri Avis Horner Service Center and five other locations across the Fairgrounds. Raising $676,000 Fairgoers bought their favorite souvenirs to commemorate their visit to the Fair. Fun Facts: The Foundation sold 13,677 T-shirts, 2,521 magnets and 4,385 postcards. You can buy any leftover merchandise in the Online State Fair Store.
Madison Price was an incredible addition to our staff over the summer. She stayed busy organizing hospitality events, promoting BINGO, providing key communications with current and potentially new donors. (Best of all - she kept our staff entertained!) Thank you, Madison!
Stay tuned for more 2025 Iowa State Fair highlights.