What’s happening at the Blue Ribbon Foundation? Check out the Foundation’s fall newsletter. Highlighted is all the fun and fundraising success over the summer. Including a recap of the Corndog Kickoff, BINGO, Woodcarvers’ Auction and details about the 2025 Iowan of the Day winners. There is a special thank you to the volunteers that sold merchandise and bottled water during the Iowa State Fair. The Blue Ribbon Foundation would not be successful with the support of our volunteers. Thank you!
Also included in an update on the Back the Barns renovations. The Horse, Sheep, Swine and Cattle barns will each receive updates before the 2026 Iowa State Fair. We are still accepting donations for this fundraising campaign and would love your support.
Holiday merchandise items for sale include ornaments, jewelry, apparel, and a fun Butter Cow water bottle. Check out all the available State Fair swag in the online State Fair Store. You can also purchase merchandise at our office on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. We are in the Earth Home (under the wind turbine, by the Cultural Center and Fun Forest). We are open Monday – Friday from 8 AM – 4 PM.
A special thank you to 2025 Interns – Grace, Maya and Madison. The trio worked hard to help the Blue Ribbon Foundation accomplish a huge list of projects throughout the summer. We are currently looking for college students to join our team for the summer.
Save the Date: Online Souvenir Auction starts November 13 at 10 AM. We’ll have some of the original lapel pins and pottery pieces up for grabs.
What was the Blue Ribbon Foundation doing 10 years ago (2015)? The Foundation had just finished a successful summer! Staff participated in the Outhouse Races, the Fair had record attendance, and everyone celebrated Iowa's new law changing the school start date. The Foundation hosted the Fairgrounds 5K during the Fair. More than 350 participants experienced the State Fair like never before.
Crews were working on Ruan Plaza, a pedestrian walkway connecting Grand Avenue and the Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center. Upgrades were also continuing in the Youth Inn with new elevators and improved access to entrances.
The Corndog Kickoff’s theme was “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, a spin on celebrating Christmas in July. The event raised $460,000.
Popular merchandise items for the holidays included: the Isabel Bloom blue ribbon ornament, Giant Slide ornament and Butter Cow Bobblehead.
Teresa Clevenger is highlighted in the Donor Profile article. She is a member of the 1854 Society, camps, and with her family volunteers a combined 20 shifts during the Iowa State Fair! To Teresa, “The Iowa State Fair is a fun summer vacation before our lives get busy in the fall.”
What was the Blue Ribbon Foundation doing 20 years ago (2005)? The Corndog Kickoff hosted 1200 guests and raised a record setting $250,700! The Foundation had another successful Iowa State Fair thanks to the 425 volunteers that sold merchandise and bottled water.
John Putney, BRF Executive Director, encouraged Fair-lovers to show support by purchasing merchandise items. “Put a smile on the faces of your friends and family by giving gifts that bring back fond memories of the Iowa State Fair”. In addition to t-shirts- books, tiles, and custom plates were available for sale.
General Motors donated a 2006 Chevy SSR to be raffled off during the Fair, all proceeds raised went to future Fairgrounds renovations!
The Donor Profile highlighted Jo Bond and her mom, Arlene Fineran. That year, Jo volunteered 9 of the 11 days! (Fun Fact, 20 years later and Jo now volunteers 10 of the 11 days.) Talk about true love for the Iowa State Fair.
What was the Blue Ribbon Foundation doing 30 years ago (1995)? The Foundation was proud of the grand opening of the Firstar Service Center. This was the very first new constructed building the Foundation’s fundraising supported.
Ron Brown with Bob Brown Chevrolet did a fun promotion to support the Foundation – instead of making a cash contribution for each new car sold during a set time, they decided on a $100 donation toward a tree plaque in the name of the car buyer. Contributions totaled $7,500!
The first limited-edition John Deere collector's tractor went on sale. This kicked off a series of tractors and a unique fundraiser.
Iowa Jaycees raised $300,000 for the renovation of the Youth Inn. Small towns and cities across the state rallied together to make it happen.
The state was gearing up to celebrate its 150th birthday in 1996. It is interesting to note that Iowa became a state in 1846 and the first Iowa State Fair was held in 1854. Think about it! In the first decade of Iowa’s existence as a state, our forefathers determined that the establishment of a state-wide agriculture exhibition was of very high priority.
To shape your future, you need to understand your past. The Blue Ribbon Foundation thanks the donors that helped shape our organization 30, 20 and 10 years ago. We look forward to growing with our current and future supporters.