2025 Iowa State Fair Recap: August 16 & 17
The last weekend of the Iowa State Fair is bittersweet. It’s a mix of exhaustion; more hustle and a little bit melancholy that it’s all almost over.
Our final Iowan of the Day was on Saturday. (The Fair is months away but it’s never too early to think about nominating the outstanding volunteer in your community. You can celebrate your hometown hero in a special way at the 2026 Iowa State Fair.)
Lou Sipolt Jr. – Altoona: Many Iowans know Lou from his years as a media personality on 95 KGGO, then on Channel 23 and now on Local 5 as the host of "Iowa Live." What listeners might not know is that Lou has dedicated his time and talents to advocating for over twenty organizations since he moved to Iowa. These non-profit organizations include the American Heart Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa and ChildServe, just to name a few. Some of Lou's most prominent activism has been in support of stronger animal abuse prevention laws across Iowa. Through his "Doggies on Death Row" radio and television series, over 2,000 dogs have been adopted. Lou consistently does whatever he can to leverage his talents and passions in support of all Iowans—humans and animals alike.
The Blue Ribbon Foundation participated in the concrete statue contest and placed 1st in the professional category. This was the final year for the contest. Artists had the task of painting either a cow or pig. Thank you to Sticks, Inc for painting our pig. It was beautiful and sold at the Woodcarvers’ Auction for $2,000.
On Sunday the Woodcarvers’ Auction raised $76,610. All proceeds from the auction are dedicated to Our Fair’s Future, the Blue Ribbon Foundation’s endowment fund. A special thank you to Chainsaw Artists - Gary Keenan, T.J. Jenkins and Clint Henik for producing such outstanding pieces of art.
One intern organized both the Iowan of the Day program and the Woodcarvers’ Auction – Grace Benson. Not just for 11 days, but all summer long, she worked hard to support our mission. Grace took ownership of her specific projects and did an amazing job representing the Blue Ribbon Foundation. Thank you.
Upcoming projects are always exciting to get started as the current Fair wraps up and plans are put in motion for the next year – especially around the Livestock Barns.
Horse Barn – Phase I of the project (exterior painting, window replacement, masonry repairs, and north restroom renovation and construction) were completed before the 2025 Iowa State Fair. Phase II, which is the rest of the project, has started and will be completed in time for the 2026 Fair. The two-year, $13.1 million renovation project will include the following:
• Masonry, sheet metal, and roofing restoration
• Exterior and interior painting
• Repair and replacement of exterior doors and windows
• New concrete floor with radiant heat
• New relocated offices on the west end
• Remodeled existing restrooms and brand-new restrooms to meet current accessibility standards
• Relocated covered outdoor wash rack and new interior wash rack area
• New portable stalls
• Enhanced ventilation
• New electrical service and lighting
• New fire suppression system
The Sheep Barn will have a few continued improvements, with new portable pens and an upgraded show ring. Outside the Cattle Barn, a new electric substation building will be constructed. In the Swine Barn, the west restrooms will be remodeled, and brand-new restrooms will be added on the east side. Join our Back the Barns fundraising campaign.
The Blue Ribbon Foundation may be a small team, but we're mighty, thanks to the incredible support behind us. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our interns, volunteers, and the dedicated Iowa State Fair staff who help keep everything running smoothly.
To our donors: THANK YOU! Whether you purchased a T-shirt, a bottle of water, an engraved brick, or supported us in countless other ways, every contribution makes a difference. Your donations, big or small, help us continue vital improvements across the Fairgrounds.
Thank you for trusting the Blue Ribbon Foundation to care for YOUR Fairgrounds ensuring that generations of families can continue to enjoy this cherished tradition for years to come.
