One Month Until the Corndog Kickoff Benefit Auction!

The 25^th annual Corndog Kickoff Benefit Auction and Fair Food Grazing Party is coming up! Saturday, July 9, Fair-lovers are invited to take part in a night of auction bidding, food, and fun. There will be both a live and silent auction for attendees to participate in.

We are so grateful for all of the donations we have received so far and cannot wait to auction off these unique packages. Some exciting silent auction items we have include:

A Pellet Grill

Kick your taste buds into a new dimension with a Green Mountain Daniel Boone Prime Plus Wi-Fi Pellet Grill.

• The 12V direct power design provides better temp control, greater pellet fuel economy and faster startups. With a 13.5” peaked lid and 458 square inches of grill space, this workhorse can cook anything from a dozen racks of ribs to a small whole hog!

• Plus, you can control and monitor your grill from your couch or on-the-go with GMG Smart Control.

Donated by Prairie Ag Supply

Bo Knows

Bo Jackson is the only professional athlete in history to be named an All-Star in both baseball and football.

• If you are a Bo fan you’ll want to have this Auburn football autographed by one of their most celebrated athletes, Bo Jackson of course.

Donated by Chris Hammer

Let's Go Surfin' Now – Red

When the Beach Boys performed in the Grandstand last year, they wanted two surfboards as props. When they were done, they autographed them!

• This red and blue surfboard has all the Beach Boys’ signatures, including John Stamos.

All silent auction items will be available for viewing on the platform GiveSmart on July 7. Bidding starts at 10 a.m. July 8 and closes July 9 at 8:30 p.m. Some exciting live auction items we have include:

20/20 Vision

If you are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism, LASIK surgery may offer the vision you want without the constraints of glasses or contacts.

• Wolfe Eye Clinic will perform a bilateral LASIK procedure in either their West Des Moines or Cedar Rapids clinics.

• You’ll receive your initial evaluation appointment at any Wolfe Clinic main office; pre- and post- operative medications and drops, the procedure and LASIK-related follow-up visits for one year and enhancement within two years post-op, if necessary.

Donated by Wolfe Eye Clinic

Prime Camping

Attending every day of the Iowa State Fair is a piece of cake when you are camped right outside the gates!

• Winnebago is providing a move in ready RV for the duration of the Fair.

• Two admission wristbands, allowing for 11 days of entry, are included as is a parking pass for your campsite. You’ll also have several tickets to ride the Sky Glider, Ye Old Mill and the Giant Slide.

• Commemorate your 2022 Iowa State Fair with an old-fashioned 8” x 10” portrait for two people. You can select a matted or poster format. Valid only at the 2022 Iowa State Fair.

• A pillow constructed using an Iowa State Fair t-shirt.

Donated by Winnebago Industries, Karen Brockelsby, Old Time Portraits and the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation

Boo!

Test your paranormal courage by exploring or staying overnight in several of Iowa’s most haunted places. All of these locations have had multiple documented spirit experiences!

• Bentonsport − Built in 1846 as a hotel for steamboat travelers, the Mason House Inn has served as an inn, Civil War hospital, boarding house, a tuberculosis hospital, a home, a museum and now a B & B. With this history, there are bound to be some ghosts! Enjoy a night’s stay for two on the second floor of the main house, breakfast and maybe a spirit or two. Reservations required. Expires 12/17/22. Not valid during festivals and events.

• Farrar – Ever feel like school was never-ending? Well there are a few ghosts at the old Farrar Elementary school that truly attest to that feeling. See if you can connect with one with an overnight stay at the haunted school. The stay is good for up to six people any Sunday through Thursday. Expires July 31, 2023.

• Strawberry Point – Built in 1903, enjoy an overnight stay at the historic Franklin Hotel.

• Malvern – Featured on Paranormal Lockdown, Malvern Manor has lots of visitors – living and ghostly. Enjoy a day tour of the Malvern Manor for you and 10 guests plus an overnight stay.

• Villisca – Visit one of the most infamous and haunted sites in Iowa, the Villisca Ax Murder House. Eight people were slain here in 1912 and it’s said their spirits remain. Will you see them? Six people can take an afternoon tour, Tuesday - Sunday, 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. No reservations needed.

• Be ready for these ghostly adventures with three Iowa ghost hunting books, an EVP recorder and an EMF detector.

• Since you have a few overnights, a Halloween themed quilted blanket might be nice to cuddle into – or pull over your head.

• This trip will take you all over Iowa. Here’s $200 in Casey’s gift cards for gas.

Donated by the Farrar Haunted School, The Franklin Hotel, Malvern Manor, Mason House, Villisca Murder House, Gene & Danyell Klein & Casey’s

The live auction will take place at the event, July 9, and bidding starts at 8 p.m.

If you want your chance to win some of these amazing items, consider purchasing a ticket and attending the 25^th annual Corndog Kickoff! Tickets cost $100 and will increase to $125 July 1.

If you are interested in participating in the silent auction, make an account on GiveSmart! GiveSmart is the platform we use for the auction and anyone can create an account with their name and card information. You will be able to see auction items and bid in real time. It is really easy to use and helps us keep track of who is bidding on what. Bidding will stop at 8:30 p.m. and you will be able to pay for your items and pick them up at the auction.

It's easy to join and take part in the auction fun. The Corndog Kickoff hosts over 2,000 attendees each year and has raised over $7.2 million for the renovation and preservation of the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds. You don’t want to miss out on this event, buy your ticket today!

- Brooklin Border, Public Relations Intern