30 Years of Positive Change

Since the Blue Ribbon Foundation started; there have been plenty of positive changes made to the Fairgrounds. To highlight a few:

30 Years Ago: The Iowa State Fair Board of Directors took the needed action to establish the Blue Ribbon Foundation and hire John Putney to lead the charge. Little did anyone know that over the next 30 years, $165 million would be raised and positive changes would transform the face of the Iowa State Fairgrounds forever.

25 Years Ago: Bill Knapp presented a $1 million challenge grant to the Blue Ribbon Foundation. This gift was monumental in the renovation of the Varied Industries Building. This donation generated a spark that led to the Blue Ribbon Foundation and Fair lovers collaborating to create needed changes to the historic Fairgrounds.

20 Years Ago: The Blue Ribbon Foundation office moved from downtown Des Moines to the Earth Home on the Fairgrounds. A smart change to relocate to where the action was. Although we haven’t made many improvements to our physical office space, it sure feels like home to the staff.

15 Years Ago: The original State Fair Museum was renovated and the Animal Learning Center was constructed. These two buildings truly represent the Iowa State Fair. One holds the history of the 11-day event and the other showcases the future of agriculture with baby animals born every day of the Fair. 

10 Years Ago: The Blue Ribbon Foundation created Our Fair's Future, an endowment program that focuses on planned giving. Since then, 35 donors have joined the Champion Circle. These visionary donors have made estate plans providing a wonderful, lasting legacy to the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation's endowment fund.

5 Years Ago: Construction was in full swing on the Sandra Freeman Dowie Midway Plaza. The expanded midway footprint created Thrill Ville and now accommodates larger attractions. The area is used year round for event parking and as a vehicle training space for various organizations. 

Today: The Blue Ribbon Foundation continues to encourage Fairgoers to support our mission through the Corndog Checkoff and many giving programs. Staff is preparing for another Corndog Kickoff fundraiser and has already started recruiting hundreds of volunteers for the summer. The Blue Ribbon Foundation also has exciting improvements ready to be made – the brand new Alliant Energy shelter house, the next phase of the Elwell Family Park and the creation of a demonstration kitchen. (Stay tuned for more updates!)

This is only the tip of the iceberg of the amazing changes that have been made possible with the support of Blue Ribbon Foundation donors. Thank you.  Do you want to be part of future preservation and improvement projects? Let’s keep the positive changes coming. Donate Today.