Welcome to the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation’s blog!
We are a non-profit organization with a mission to raise funds for the renovation and preservation of the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds. Since our inception in 1993, the Foundation has raised more than $200 million through individual contributions, state appropriations, in-kind services, and corporate, federal and state grants.
Please follow our blog to learn more about our organization.
“There’s Nothing Butter” than the Iowa State Fair! Join us at the annual Corndog Kickoff on July 9th as we celebrate 100 years of the Iowa State Fair’s treasured Butter Cow. In honor of this, over the next few weeks, we will be posting blogs about the history of the Butter Cow as well as some fun facts. We hope you learn a bit more about how this tradition started and why it’s so important to support the continuation of these Fair traditions.
This morning I had to get going a little earlier to arrive at work on time. It wasn’t because of construction or my desire to finally stop at Palazzo’s to get one of their delicious coffees, though. The Fairgrounds are bustling today for the World Pork Expo that is in town today through Friday, so I had to make sure I had time to weave my way through the grounds.
The Pork Expo isn’t the only event that goes on at the Fairgrounds from September-July, though. Weddings, auto races, flea markets, art shows and Gathering on the Grounds are just a few of the many events that take place. You can even camp at the Fairgrounds during off season!
Of course the event that we at the Blue Ribbon Foundation are most looking forward to is our annual Corndog Kickoff that will be taking place on July 9th! Tickets are $75 in advance or $100 after June 30, and you can go to our website to learn more and order tickets! Also, the Fairgrounds 5K will be taking place in November. It is perfect for enjoying all the sights of the Fairgrounds, but without the crowd. We hope to see you soon!
Kristen
The deadline is fast approaching for the 2011 Iowan of the Day program. All nominations must be received by July 1, 2011!
The Blue Ribbon Foundation has been honoring outstanding Iowans across the state for the past 14 years. Below is a list of the cities where they were from. Check out if anyone has been honored from your community.
Albia, Alden, Ames, Anita, Ankeny, Armstrong, Bedford, Bettendorf, Bloomfield, Buckeye, Carlisle, Carroll, Cedar Rapids, Clarion, Clarksville, Clinton, Colo, Coon Rapids, Coralville, Corydon, Creston, Dallas Center, Danville, Decorah, Denison, Des Moines, Diagonal, Dubuque, Earlham, Eldora, Ellston, Ellsworth, Estherville, Fairbank, Fairfield, Floyd, Fonda, George, Gladbrook, Glenwood, Grandview, Greenfield, Grimes, Grinnell, Indianola, Iowa Falls, Johnston, Lamoni, Leon, Letts, Lewis, Manning, Marshalltown, Mason City, Mechanicsville, Minden, Monticello, Murray, Neola, Nevada, New Hampton, North English, Odebolt, Onawa, Osceola, Pella, Plainfield, Red Oak, Runnells, Sac City, Schaller, Sheldon, Sibley, Sidney, Storm Lake, Sumner, Terril, Treynor, Urbandale, Van Meter, Wall Lake, Wapello, Waterloo, Waukee, Waukon, Waverly, Wellman, West Des Moines, Winterset
Click here for a complete list of Iowan of the Day Winners.
More information about the Iowan of the Day program can be found on the Blue Ribbon Foundation’s website.
Can’t wait to receive your nomination!
Drew
Yesterday, I was able to enjoy the beautiful outdoors for a while as my boss and Director of the Blue Ribbon Foundation drove me around on the 1854 Society golf cart. I was able to see some parts of the Fairgrounds that I have never seen before. I’m sure as the summer continues and as the Fair gets closer and closer I will have more opportunities to explore the Fairgrounds. Even though I have come to the Fair every year since I can remember, it’s crazy just how big it is and how many things there are to see and experience.
Even closer than the Fair is our annual Corndog Kickoff. I knew little about this big event until I became one of the interns this summer for the Blue Ribbon Foundation. Therefore, I am very excited to see everything come together, put some names with faces and be a small part in helping raise money to keep our treasured Fairgrounds looking the way they do! If you haven’t already, make sure to get your ticket requests in by July 1st.
Trista
The Blue Ribbon Foundation wants to honor the shining stars across Iowa. Make sure you nominate the outstanding volunteers in your community for Iowan of the Dayat the 2011 Iowa State Fair. Previous winners are talking about their experiences.
“My family and I had a wonderful time at the fair. I am humbled by this honor and those who supported my nomination, but it was the Blue Ribbon Foundation who made it all possible.” Larry Petersen, 2007
“It was such a great day and I’m so honored by all the VIP treatment. We had such an enjoyable time with fond memories of the Iowan of the Day that will last for years to come.” Lorna Baldner Grow, 2006
“Celebrate is what I was able to do as the Iowan of the Day. Everything was so well done and so much fun! Thanks for all the gifts and treasures.” Karen Weld, 2010
“From the scheduling to the accommodations, the whole day was fantastic! Being acknowledged for volunteerism is not something that volunteers expect.” Charlie and Jennifer Graf, 2006
“It was a wonderful honor! Thanks for all the extras that came with the honor to make me feel really special. It was a great day that I will never forget!” Gerald Inman, 2010
“Everyone involved was very nice and made me feel special. The hotel, tickets to the fair, parking, golf cart, grandstand tickets, magazine subscription and cash were all very nice but the best thing was the way everyone treated me. Thank you to everyone, I had a great time.” Rick Trotter, 2007
Help us say thank you to those who give so much to our state! To obtain a nomination form, stop by your local post office or call the Blue Ribbon Foundation at 1-800-450-3732. You may also download the form here. Note that nominees must currently reside in Iowa. All nominations must also be received by July 1, 2011.
Drew
I’m not liking how low the temperature has been the past few days. It’s supposed to be summer, but here I am wearing long-sleeves.
I wasn’t really sure what I was going to write about today, so I decided to just post some awesome pictures of the Fair to get your mind off the cold!
75 more days!
Kristen
On your marks…Get set…Go!
If you have not participated in the Iowa State Fair Fairgrounds 5K, now is the year to sign up! This year marks the 5th anniversary of the 5K run that happens every November at the Fairgrounds. It’s a great opportunity to get back on the Fairgrounds and enjoy the beautiful scenery, food, and people. The 5K includes a 3.1 miles competitve run as well as a 1 mile fun run/walk. We are currently in the process of adding additional events and opportunities to make this a fun day for all!
The Fairgrounds 5K this year is currently planned for November 6th. Look for more information and last year’s results on our website:http://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/fairgrounds5k.html. We are also on the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation Facebook page. And don’t forget to start breaking in your running shoes!
This year’s Iowa State Fair theme is “Nothing Compares.” So, as I am sitting at my desk thinking about how I want to tie that in with the BRF volunteers, I have come up with this…
This year nothing will compare to the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation volunteers that will be helping out at the Fair! After being here for only two weeks, I have had the pleasure of meeting a handful of the BRF volunteers that have been with the Foundation, some for many many years. Everyone has been so nice and very enthusiastic about volunteering. I think that is great. The giving of time and talents just because you want to takes special people. Without our volunteers, we would not be able to give nearly as much back to the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds as we do now.
Hopefully now you want to learn more about becoming a BRF volunteer. As of today, our online registration form is officially up and running, so you can go to http://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/ and click on the Volunteers tab that runs down the left-hand side of the page to sign up! John Deere Financial volunteers, your registration form is also available online. If you don’t know for sure if you want to volunteer yet, but want some information, feel free to email me at kristen@blueribbonfoundation.org or call me at 515.262.3111 ext. 679. I will be happy to answer anyone’s questions!
Have a great weekend!
Kristen
Since starting in March, I have had the opportunity to be on the Auction Committee for the Corndog Kickoff. Before starting my internship with the Foundation, I had never even heard of the event. I quickly learned that the night was filled with auction packages, entertainment and lots of Fair food! An event with Fair food before August was definitely a night I wanted to be a part of. This year’s theme of the Corndog Kickoff is “There’s Nothing Butter” in honor of the 100th year of the butter cow.
We are continuing to receive donations and the office will soon be full. I will help Robin compile the 2011 Auction Book and put together one of a kind prize packages. I’m looking forward to the event on July 9th and seeing the Varied industries Building full of excitement! For more information about the Corndog Kickoff or to see pictures from last year, check out the Blue Ribbon Foundation’s website.
Drew Norton
Check out some of the great Auction items from the 2010 Corndog Kickoff.
It’s another beautiful day in Iowa! In case you didn’t already know, the Iowa State Fairgrounds are open year round and are a great place to come for a jog, enjoy a meal over your lunch break, or find a bench under a shady tree to read a book. Take advantage of this weather before it gets too hot!
I am continuing to work on my tasks as one of the three interns for the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation this summer. This week I will be preparing and mailing out “Save the Date” postcards for just some of the numerous events that happen during the Fair.
We are lucky to work with such a great staff and get to meet many others who play a part in making the Iowa State Fair as wonderful as it is!
Trista