Volunteer at the Iowa State Fair

The 2024 Iowa State Fair was a record breaker in so many ways! Not least of which was the time and effort expended by more than 650 Blue Ribbon Foundation volunteers. In total, these essential individuals spent more than 5,250 hours helping make the 2024 Iowa State Fair a success. From selling more than 65,000 bottles of water to helping Fairgoers select more than $679,000 worth of Fair merchandise (that’s a 33% increase over the 2023 Fair’s record-breaking sales), volunteers proved they are the heart and soul of the Blue Ribbon Foundation’s fundraising efforts.

Thank you to everyone who gave us their time and talent during the 2024 Iowa State Fair. Your behind-the-scenes effort and helpful smiles keep the Foundation’s Fairtime tasks running smoothly every year! By utilizing volunteer workers, merchandise and water sales are more profitable, which allows the Foundation to maximize the financial impact of the Fairground’s renovation and new construction projects.

List of 2024 Iowa State Fair Volunteers and Post Fair Video

The 2025 Iowa State Fair will take place from August 7th to the 17th. As always, the volunteer sign-up process opens mid-May.

WHAT WE ASK

  • Responsibility options include:
    • Selling merchandise
    • Selling bottled water
    • Working the BINGO tent
    • Hospitality Tasks
  • All volunteers work 4 or 5 hour shifts.
  • Share your Iowa State Fair enthusiasm with Fairgoers.
  • Answer general questions about the Foundation's many fundraising programs.

WHAT VOLUNTEERS RECEIVE

  • One complimentary admission ticket per person for each day they work.
  • One complimentary parking pass (per person or per couple/pair working together) for each day they work.
  • Official Blue Ribbon Foundation volunteer T-shirt. 
  • A FUN experience!
  • Our gratitude!

Volunteers must be 16 years of age to volunteer individually or 12 years of age to volunteer with a parent or other adult. We ask that volunteers working merchandise sign up for a minimum of two shifts.

Sign Up for the 2025 Iowa State Fair Opens in Mid-May 

Please contact Meg Courter with any questions.

Meg Courter, Development Manager 
515-262-3111, ext. 370 
Meg@BlueRibbonFoundation.org

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Stay Up to Date on Volunteer Opportunities. Email Meg asking to be placed on the Volunteer Interest list and receive THE BUZZ volunteer e-newsletters.