The 2022 Corndog Kickoff Benefit Auction is Coming Up Fast – Don’t Miss Out!

May 2, 2022

As we enter the month of May, I would love to give you an overview of the Corndog Kickoff to show what you could experience when you buy tickets! The Corndog Kickoff began in 1997 with around 460 attendees. This fun-filled night full of food, entertainment, games, and an auction has raised over $7.2 million towards Fairground renovations to this day. Let’s talk about some ways you can be a part of this growing number and contribute to the Fair!

Benefit Auction

Online bidding will open for the Silent Auction at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 8 and close on Saturday, July 9 at 8:30 p.m. All auction packages will be on display at the event so attendees can see them up close and in person.

To access the online auction, visit: www.BlueRibbonFoundation.org/Events/Corndog-Kickoff.

To bid, you must register as a bidder and provide the required information on the form, including a valid credit card number. Winning bidders will receive details on how to pick up their auction package.

Here are some auction highlights that you can look forward to:

A white Mitchell electric guitar that was autographed by every act appearing on the Grandstand during the 2021 Iowa State Fair. Donated by the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation
A Golden Ticket that provides gate admission and parking for one person for the rest of their life. Yep, you'll never have to buy an Iowa State Fair ticket or parking pass for yourself again - ever! Donated by the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation

Please consider making a donation to the Corndog Kickoff Auction to help support Fairgrounds renovation projects. Donating an auction package consisting of your product or service is an excellent way to promote your company, as it will be seen - and bid on - by nearly 2,000 attendees.

Benefits for auction donors include complimentary tickets to the Corndog Kickoff (number of tickets based on value of donation) and publicity in event materials.

Dining Delights

The 2022 Corndog Kickoff will feature “Dining Delights” – a restaurant gift card activity. For a $20 donation, attendees will grab a mystery gift card as their prize.

Would you like your favorite restaurant to be featured? Would you help support the Blue Ribbon Foundation by asking that restaurant to donate a gift certificate?

Or, support two businesses at once by purchasing a gift card and donating it to the Foundation to use in Dining Delights!

We are seeking donations with a value of $25 or higher to highlight restaurants across the state. Thank you for your consideration. Please mail gift cards to the address below:

Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation

3000 East Grand Avenue

Des Moines, Iowa 50317

Rags to Riches

Join in as we play a 50/50 raffle game halfway through the live auction. You are invited to purchase a souvenir bandana, or “rag,” for $10 to get in the game. As a participant during the game, you will hold it in the air or keep it down at your side.

The auctioneer will flip a coin – heads is rags up and tails is down. If you choose correctly, you remain standing and continue to play; when you’re wrong, you sit down. The game will continue until we have one lucky participant left standing. The winner will receive half of the amount made from the rag sales.

In 2021, 800 bandanas were sold with $4,000 up for grabs. Rags will be sold the night of the event – remember to play for your chance to go from rags to riches!