Back to "Normal"

With October just around the corner, the Blue Ribbon Foundation has finally gotten back to normal. That makes me think - what exactly is “normal”? 

 

Is it normal that in the summer, as a staff we work 15+ hour days or run from one end of the Fairgrounds to the other? Is it normal to eat your lunch at 4 p.m. and supper at 10 p.m.? 

 

The Iowa State Fair is officially 11 days but if you ask any staff member, you will learn our Fair starts as early as August 1. We eat lunch on the fly – answering emails, returning phone messages and radio calls. We sometimes sleep in our offices, only see family before 7 a.m. or after midnight, and practically devote every hour of the day to our job. 

 

Why you ask? I’m sure each staff member has an explanation for why he/she chooses a career that overtakes their summer. Undeniably, it would be the same reason Fairgoers attend each year.  We LOVE the Iowa State Fair.  

 

Personally, I find working for the Blue Ribbon Foundation incredibly rewarding.  I enjoy planning our fundraising events, engaging donors, and promoting our improvements to the Fairgrounds. Everyday I’m reminded that Iowans across the state have a special connection to the Fair. From family traditions, childhood memories, must-see exhibits and foods you have to eat - everyone has their own special State Fair story. Seeing the joy the Iowa State Fair brings people overwhelming outweighs the lack of sleep or not being able to have a “normal” summer. 

 

Since the Fair, September was a month of clean-up and catch-up. Each day the office becomes a little more organized. October will be more wrap-up of the 2015 Fair. I’ll start organizing membership renewals, planning for the holiday party, and end of the year donations. Every fall, the Foundation does an evaluations. Are we reaching new potential donors? Are we doing enough for our current donors? What can we do next to improve the Iowa State Fairgrounds? This helps us grow as an organization and continue to be the best we can be. 

 

The planning and preparation for events like the Corndog Kickoff, Iowa State Fair, Fairgrounds 5K (and everything in between) starts months in advance. Before long, it will be time for another “normal” summer!

 

A few staff snapshots:

 

Peter welcomed Fairgoers to the MidAmerican Energy stage during Opening Ceremonies. 

 

Gina served orange juice during the 1854 Society Brunch. 

 

Robin registered runners and pointed them in the correct direction for the Fairgrounds 5K.