Picture Perfect

I recently updated the picture frames in my office. I change these photos of my family and friends out once a year. I usually have one photo from the most recent Christmas and one photo from some adventure I took within the year. I also keep a few photos on the front of my filing cabinet. These photos are Iowa State Fair related and make me smile throughout the workday.

From left to right:

2011 Corndog Kickoff: This photo was from the very first Corndog Kickoff I ever attended as a summer intern. The theme was “There’s Nothing Butter” and celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Butter Cow. That night I was in charge of helping with the live and silent auction. It was the first time I was part of such a large fundraising event. (Here is the plug to apply to be a 2020 summer intern with the Blue Ribbon Foundation and put your skills to the test planning the Corndog Kickoff.) 

2016 Corndog Kickoff: This picture was taken as the 2016 Corndog Kickoff wrapped up. As the current Communications Manager, I sat with three women that had previous held the same position at the Foundation. Each had planned the Corndog Kickoff themselves and came back to volunteer at the event. I think this speaks very highly of our organization. Just like the Iowa State Fair has a special connection for so many people – so does the Blue Ribbon Foundation.

Steer-N-Stein’s Beer Sign: Who doesn’t want to pose by the 27-degree beer sign when it’s your 27th birthday?

2017 Iowa State Fair: The ladies of the Blue Ribbon Foundation office paused for a quick photo during the 2017 Iowa State Fair. This was Meg Courter’s (Sponsorship Director) first Fair. It takes all staff and volunteers working together to pull off the annual 11-day event.

2018 Iowa State Fair: I was able to take a photo with the 2018 Iowa State Fair Queen, Hailey Swan. Hailey is from my hometown of Bloomfield in Davis County. That same year, the winner of the Giant Pumpkin contest was also from Davis County. Nothing brings out your “Hometown Pride” than seeing your county represented at the State Fair level.

2019 Iowa State Fair: One of the highlights of my State Fair career is taking a selfie with Noah Cappe while he was filming an episode of Carnival Eats during the Fair. Can’t wait to watch the Iowa State Fair featured in this show. (He was just as friendly in person as he seems on television!)

Also hanging out on the cabinet are magnets I have collected from each Fair as a full time staff member. Some days it seems like I just started with the Foundaiton but a number of things have changed in 6 years. Major renovations have been made to the Cultural Center, Youth Inn, and now the 4-H Building. The creation of the MidAmerican Energy Stage, Ruan Plaza, two midway park areas, Jacobson Plaza, the Grandstand stage and seating expansion - plus two new Admission Gates.

Those are just the BIG projects – let’s not forget restroom updates, roof repairs, window replacements, electrical upgrades, road and sidewalk improvements. This doesn’t include the regular maintenance that happens every day to keep the buildings functioning properly.

I could fill every filing cabinet top to bottom with photos of the Fairgrounds improvements! If you enjoy any of these renovations or the countless others that have been completed since 1993 – join our fundraising efforts. Let’s make the Iowa State Fairgrounds picture perfect.