What a beautiful day... To lay bricks!

I hope all of you are enjoying this great weather. The sun is shining on the Fairgrounds, and I can’t help myself from being so excited for what lies ahead this August. This is my 4th week at the foundation and time keeps flying by!

Today, all of the interns had the opportunity to leave our desks and work outside. We spent the morning laying engraved bricks that were donated to the Foundation all across the Fairgrounds, and it was a gorgeous day to do so!  Investing in an engraved brick is a great way to restore a century of memories at the Iowa State Fair. These bricks have proven to be a crowd favorite as you have the opportunity to leave a permanent legacy, while still supporting the renovation and preservation of the historic State Fairgrounds.

The bricks are used to complete various walkways in 15 different locations on the Fairgrounds including: 4-H Exhibit Building, Anne & Bill Riley Stage, Campgrounds Gate Five, Maytag Family Theatres, Elwell Family Food Center, Administration Building, Agriculture Building, Dairy Parlor, Livestock Show Pavilion, Pioneer Hall, Ye Old Mill, and the Cattle, Horse, Sheep and Swine Barns.

With the purchase of a brick, you can choose the inscription and location of your personalized brick. Options include:

• Standard bricks are available for $100 and inscription allows for up to three lines using a maximum of 14 spaces per line.
• Special logo bricks are available for $125. Please enclose or email a black and white copy of your business or personal logo with your order form.
• Gift cards are also available by request

Bricks are placed twice a year, once in the fall and once in the summer. If you are interested in giving to the Blue Ribbon Foundation and the future of the Fair, consider buying a brick! Please use our secure online order form or download our brick brochure for more details.

If you have any further questions regarding our programs or giving opportunities, please call us at (515) 262-3111 ext. 371 or email us at Info@BlueRibbonFoundation.org.

Pictured below you can see a sample brick from our morning.

 - Maggie Mathiasen