Fall Newsletter: 1998, 2008 and 2018

What’s happening at the Blue Ribbon Foundation? Check out the Foundation’s fall newsletter. It highlights all the fun and fundraising success over the summer. A recap of the Corndog Kickoff, the Bingo Fundraiser, the Canvas Painting Class and details about the 2018 Iowan of the Day winners.  Included is a special thank you to the volunteers that sold merchandise, bottled water and Fair Squares during the Iowa State Fair. The Blue Ribbon Foundation would not be successful with the support of our volunteers. THANK YOU!

Darin and Deanna Bennigsdorf are showcased in the Donor Profile for their membership in the 1854 Society. The Foundation is proud to announce special donations from Prairie Meadows and the Richard O. Jacobson Foundation. Read about the awesome improvement projects coming soon.

Merchandise items for sale include ornaments, cookbooks, cutting boards, and a fun Tic-Tac-Toe Board. 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 located in the Earth Home (under the wind turbine, by the Cultural Center and Fun Forest). We are open Monday – Friday from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.

A special thank you to 2018 Interns - Julianna, Macy and Savannah. The trio worked hard to help the Blue Ribbon Foundation accomplish a huge list of projects throughout the summer. We are currently looking for 4 college students to join our team for the summer. Read about the internship details on our website. 

What was the Blue Ribbon Foundation doing 10 years ago? In 2008, the Blue Ribbon Foundation was celebrating the support of two Iowa businessmen – Richard Jacobson and Bruce Rastetter for their contributions to the Foundation. These gifts would lead to the construction of the Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center.

“Every contribution gets us closer to our continued goal to not only renovate and preserve the Iowa State Fairgrounds, but to improve them as well for us, now, and for our children tomorrow,” said John Putney, former Blue Ribbon Foundation Executive Director.

American Concrete donated land to the Foundation to expand the campgrounds. The 2008 Corndog Kickoff raised $250,000. Popular merchandise included the new charm bracelet, Iowa State Fair wine and the John Deere 4320 tractor.  Special Foundation volunteer, Richard Craig, was highlighted for his exciting style of selling bottles of water. Fairgoers couldn’t resist his bubbly personality and friendly demeanor, back then or now.  Richard volunteered during the 2018 Iowa State Fair too.

Ten years ago, the Foundation was preparing for the Fairgrounds 5K fundraiser and continuing to grow our loyal group of donors.

What was the Blue Ribbon Foundation doing 20 years ago? In 1998, the Blue Ribbon Foundation was partnering with Hy-Vee to create the Fun Forest. This park in the heart of the Fairgrounds is a playground, children’s activities hub and has a free entertainment stage. Even after 20 years, the area east of the Agriculture Building is packed with families throughout the Fair.

The 1998 Fair must have been hot because the Blue Ribbon Foundation water sales hit a record $100,000! Water sales were possible with the support of the Ruan Corporation for the use of a refrigerated trailer and John Deere for the use of gators for water delivery.

Hagie Manufacturing was highlighted in the donor profile and the Polk County Farm Bureau Shelter House was constructed. “Fair Buddies” (farm themed stuffed animals), lapel pins and denim shirts were the hot selling items in 1998.

The Foundation’s Legacy Tree program started because a devastating storm destroyed several trees across the Fairgrounds. This program is just one of the many giving program options available today.

To shape your future, you need to understand your past. The Blue Ribbon Foundation thanks the donors that helped shape our organization 20 and 10 years ago. We look forward to growing with our current and future supporters. Doante today.