"Volunteers don't just do the work-they make it work."

I have now been in the office for almost two months and I honestly have no idea where the time went! Can you believe it? There are only 50 shorts days until the Iowa State Fairgrounds will be transformed from a quiet, peaceful landscape into a grand Iowa tradition that will be filled with thousands and thousands of fair-goers wanting to get their favorite food on a stick and be a part of the 2012 “Fairlicious” Iowa State Fair.

I have now received about 400 volunteer registration forms and I keep getting more each day! Every single morning shift has been filled except for the second Sunday (8/19) of the Fair. Nice work volunteers! I am still working on filling shifts for afternoons and evenings for merchandise sales, water booths, and Fair Squares. I’ve learned that water booths fill up the quickest, but we still have a few spots open! Have you sent in your registration form? If not, click here to fill out the online form and be a Blue Ribbon Foundation volunteer! The master schedule will be available online starting July 5th. Already signed up, but want to take on more shifts? Awesome! Email me and we can get you into the schedule with more shifts.

Besides coordinating volunteers, one of my other big projects this summer is the Blue Ribbon Foundation Volunteer Reception. This year’s reception will be held on Thursday, July 19th, starting at 6:00 p.m. in the Elwell Family Food Center here on the Fairgrounds. It will give our volunteers the opportunity to meet other volunteers, receive a short orientation, eat a delicious meal catered by Campbell’s, and take a motorized tour of the Fairgrounds. Volunteers will also be able to pick up their t-shirts, schedule, parking pass(es), and admission ticket(s) at the reception. Make sure to look for your invitation postcard in the mail that will be coming soon!

As always, if you have any questions about the Volunteer Reception or the Fair please don’t hesitate to contact me! You can email me anytime or reach me via phone: 515-262-3111 ext. 679.

--Molly