Toot Toot!

The Blue Ribbon Foundation has a special reason to toot our own horn! The Iowa State Fair received multiple 2021 International Association of Fairs and Expositions Awards of Excellence. Specifically two for the Blue Ribbon Foundation's work. The first place awards were in the “Non Fair Facility Usage” contests.

Yes, the Blue Ribbon Foundation entered the contests but really it’s our donors that supported the idea and made the concept a reality. They are the real award winners!

The first award was in the “Facility Beautification Project” category. The Blue Ribbon Foundation submitted the mural project. The Iowa State Fairgrounds is a beautiful park-like facility with grand, exposition-style architecture, lush landscaping and public art. It is a point of pride for the city of Des Moines and our state and serves as an economic generator, hosting more than 350+ event days throughout the year. It is hard to imagine how transforming one non-descript building into a welcoming feature on the Fairgrounds can revive an area and make it a focal point for capturing a family’s visit but the mural project did.

This small beautification project added visual interest for all guests walking (or even driving) by during their visit to the Iowa State Fairgrounds and provides a backdrop for families to take their photos, year after year. At the 2021 Fair, you could not pass the murals without seeing someone taking a picture of a friend, their family or even for a complete stranger. The smiles were contagious. A special thank you to the Meredith Corporation Foundation, Liz Lidgett Gallery and James Navarro for the support of the mural project.

The second award was for the category “Creative Funding for Facility Projects”. The Blue Ribbon Foundation submitted the T.A.G. Team. The goal was to engage 100 donors to make an immediate, positive and direct impact by tackling needed maintenance. For a $250 donation, the first 100 supporters were accepted into this unique group. It was a simple concept; Together we can Accomplish our Goals, creatively establishing the T.A.G. Team.

The T.A.G. Team was a success because it was a simple concept for donors to grasp. It was a well-defined, small project that needed to be completed; one that Fairgoers could easily visualize and be proud to help complete. And, one that was financial within reach for the vast majority of our audience.

The 2022 T.A.G. Team is currently recruiting members. This year’s project will repair the west side of Pioneer Hall’s exterior. The process of renovating the building’s entire exterior started in 2018. Finishing the west side of the building will complete the restoration project. Read more about the project and join the team. 

Again, these are only two of the many IAFE contest awards the Iowa State Fair received across the categories of Sponsorship, Competitive Exhibits, Marketing and Agriculture. Just another reason Iowans can be proud of their State Fair!