Welcome to the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation’s blog!
We are a non-profit organization with a mission to raise funds for the renovation and preservation of the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds. Since our inception in 1993, the Foundation has raised more than $200 million through individual contributions, state appropriations, in-kind services, and corporate, federal and state grants.
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Hello again!
This is only my third day this week due to Memorial Day, but I have been so busy! Volunteer registration forms for the Iowa State Fair were mailed out last week and online volunteer registration opened as well. I returned on Tuesday to countless e-mails and letters filled with completed registration forms from potential volunteers. That's exciting stuff here at the Blue Ribbon Foundation! The phone also seems to be ringing off the hook, and I'm constantly trying to answer questions. Things have definitely picked up since last week, but I enjoy the fast pace of it all because that means the Iowa State Fair is inching closer and closer!
If you didn't receive a volunteer registration form in the mail and would like to volunteer at the Iowa State Fair, you can still sign up online. If you prefer to have a registration form mailed to you, please feel free to contact me.
Today I was told my days at the Blue Ribbon Foundation will get even crazier when Fair time rolls around. Although I am a bit anxious about keeping up, I know working with the volunteers will not only be fun, but also rewarding.
Kate
Hi!
I'm the third intern, Kristine Milbrandt, and I finally started here at the Blue Ribbon Foundation yesterday. I go to Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, and we have kind of a different school year than other colleges, so I didn't get done until last Thursday, May 24. But now that I'm here, I'm very much looking forward to all the fun projects in front of me and the upcoming Iowa State Fair!
I'll be a senior at Wartburg this fall and I'll be graduating in December. I'm double majoring in Writing and Communication Arts with emphases in Public Relations. Writing has been a huge passion of mine since I was a kid. I've actually written two novels that I've been editing and hope to have published one day. I'm originally from Buffalo Center, Iowa--a small town in north central Iowa just 15 miles south of Minnesota. Growing up on a farm, I spent a lot of time working with my family and was really active in 4-H and FFA. So being here at the Fair this summer has me pretty excited! Agriculture is a big passion of mine, and to be around a place that is so filled with that, I know this summer is going to be great.
As the Special Events intern, some of the projects that I'll be working on include the 1854 Society events, Legislative Day, the Corndog Kickoff, and other Blue Ribbon Foundation events. I can't wait to dive into the projects that are awaiting and to really experience this place that I've loved since I was a kid this summer!
Until next time,
Kristine
Can you believe it's already almost June? I can't!! I hope you all enjoyed your three day weekend!
The fair is going to be here before we know it. I have been joined by our two other interns Kate and Kristine- I finally have some company! :) There is no doubt we are keeping busy. Robin and I have been making plenty of phone calls for the Corndog Kickoff so she can start typing up this years auction booklet. There have been so many gracious donations that we are extremely thankful for AND excited about. We hope to make 2013 another record breaking year! Don't forget, you can now order your Corndog Kickoff tickets and commemorative crocks (first come first serve).
As for the Iowan of the Day, we are down to just over a month left to nominate! It has been challenging yet exciting being able to run this program. With Jenna's help, we are looking for the best possible ways to get the word out. We are just finishing up the media kits and soon I will be reaching out to local newspapers as well. The theme of "star-struck" has been a fun one to work with! I look forward to reading more nominations and getting a taste of what Iowa is all about. There are so many worthy people of this award, but only the best of the best will be recognized. If you are unsure of what to include in your nomination, here is a collage including some of the items from last year's winners. It is one thing to write about your nominee, but these materials are what will truly set them apart!
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me by email or phone. I can be reached at carly@blueribbonfoundation.org or 515-262-3111 extension 678. Have a great week!
Until next time.
Carly
Hello!
My name is Kaitlin (Kate) Ricke, and I am the new Special Projects Intern! My first day was last Monday, and I can't believe I've been here for almost two weeks now! I'd like to share a little bit about myself, as well as what I'm working on as an intern. I'm a junior at Central College in Pella, IA, but I will be graduating in December. I am majoring in Communication Studies, and I think my role as the Special Projects Intern fits quite well with my major! I grew up in the small town of Sac City, IA, but I ventured out of my comfort zone and studied in London, England last semester. I absolutely loved the energy of the city, but it was a relief to come back to the friendliest people on Earth--Iowans!
What better way to immerse myself in Iowa again than interning at the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation? I am very excited for the Corndog Kickoff, the Iowa State Fair, and so much more!
As the Special Projects Intern, my main duty is to work with the volunteers. I've been preparing mailings, drafting registration forms, and trying to answer questions. I can't wait to meet each volunteer and put a face to a name! Volunteer registration forms for the Fair were sent out in the mail on Tuesday, but you can also register to volunteer at the fair on the Blue Ribbon Foundation website.
Have a great weekend!
Kate
Corndog Kickoff tickets are now officially on sale!
We are counting down and the event is only 53 days away! Saturday, July 13 will mark our seventeenth annual Corndog Kickoff and we are excited to offer another great lineup of auction items as well as Fair food, SkyGlider rides, fireworks and more. Be sure to get your all-inclusive kickoff tickets prior to June 30 to receive the discounted ticket price. If you've already donated as a Corndog Kickoff Patron, your tickets are included with that donation, but you are welcome to purchase additional tickets as well.
In addition to ordering tickets, this year we have a limited edition crock available for sale. Reserve your crock now, and pick up at the event! Be sure to get your order in soon if you're interested as there are only 150 for sale.
We meet again! Not much new going on here- the auction donations for the Corndog Kickoff are slowly but surely piling up! I hope to say the same for the Iowan of the Day nominations soon, too. It is definitely not too late to either nominate or donate! While this is my first year, I can tell that may through august are the crazy months. But crazy is good in my mind! Next week is my last week of school and then I will be working full time. The two other interns should also be here soon. Jenna told me from day one that when August hits, we are all "married to the fair." I thought that was a great way to put it. Right now we are on engagement level- but marriage is quickly approaching :)
Happy friday!
May has officially arrived!! It is pretty crazy how fast my time here has gone so far. I have definitely been keeping busy between The Corndog Kickoff and Iowan of the Day program. I might add that it is not too late to donate! More and more donations are piling in each day. Being a part of the "behind-the-scenes" work of such a big event has been pretty amazing, not to mention the variety of items and unique ideas that come with it. I'm anxious to see it all fall together. The event will be held on Saturday, July 13- we hope to see you there!
In the meantime, I will be finishing up my junior year of college in a couple weeks. Two other interns will also be joining us soon! You will more than likely be hearing from them once they are here and settled in. It's been quite the ride so far. If I had to share with them some of the most valuable things I've learned, it would be right along these lines...
I'm sure this list will be at least twice as big by the end of the fair! Until next time.
CG
Hello all!
What a lovely winter we are having this spring! However, as May and the warm weather are finally approaching, I find myself getting more and more excited for fair time. Being from Nebraska, I have been exposed to the fair atmosphere but it is nothing compared to the Iowa State Fair. Right now the preparation for the Corndog Kickoff is in full swing. We have all been brainstorming new ideas for auction packages- and let me tell you, there will be a lot to look forward to! It's been a nice change of pace from sending off mailings for Iowan of the Day, to coming up with fun and unique packages for the auction. Aside from the mailings, I'm also in the process of putting together Iowan of the Day media kits. I've definitely had to get the creative juices flowing the past couple weeks! I might add that I have recently taken a pretty big leap in my duties as an intern for the Blue Ribbon Foundation. Since you're all dying to know, I now answer the phone on a consistent basis. Transferring calls can get a little tricky, and I have yet to hang up on someone by accident. Allison said it's bound to happen, but I think I've gotten a pretty good start :)
Happy Monday!!
Carly
Hello, again!
It has been a great few weeks since the last time I blogged. I'm finishing up the mailings for our Iowan of the Day program and have most recently been introduced to what all goes into our Corndog Kickoff. Slowly but surely I am getting acclimated to what all needs to get done before fair time! Whether its sending emails, getting letters printed, stuffing envelopes or answering the phone- there is no doubt I learn something new about the Iowa State Fair and the Blue Ribbon Foundation every day I am here. It's a lot of learning on the fly, which to me is nothing but an incredible experience. I look forward to what the rest of this spring and summer have in store for the Blue Ribbon Foundation. Last year was a record breaking year for the Corndog Kickoff and we hope the same for 2013. Being a student-athlete at Drake, I plan on putting together a couple packages. Be on the lookout, bulldog fans! In the meantime, I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful spring weather. Let's all hope the snow is gone for good! (Hopefully I didn't just jinx us). The warmer the weather gets, the more I look forward to summer and of course-the Iowa State Fair!!
Carly
Hello!
Robin posted awhile ago about the new interns joining the Blue Ribbon Foundation this spring and summer. Well, I am one of them! My name is Carly Grenfell and I am a junior at Drake University. I'm studying Public Relations and Management in which I'm confident, after a couple major changes, that I have found my niche. I'm also a member of the Drake Women's Basketball team and have two years of eligibility left (redshirt sophomore). I've been playing basketball since as long as I can remember. It's been an exciting journey, but to add a job experience of this sort is an opportunity I'm going to run with. I have grown to love Iowa and Des Moines ever since I started going to college here. To be part of such a big tradition is something that caught my attention about this internship from the very beginning. To see, and be a part of, all the work that goes into the Iowa State Fair will be incredible in itself.
This is officially my second week as an intern here. I will primarily be working with the Iowan of the Day program, but have been introduced to the Corndog Kickoff and other components of the foundation as well. Every day is different! That has definitely been one of my favorite parts so far- even if it is stuffing envelopes! The past few days, I have been getting ready to send out letters and nomination forms for the Iowan of the Day. That entails anything from updating addresses and contacts, to typing up the letters, to ultimately mailing it all off (hopefully soon!). For those that may not know, the Iowan of the Day was established to honor ten different people across Iowa for his or her commitment to going above and beyond in their community. The winners receive a plethora of benefits at 2013 Iowa State Fair. A couple of these things include VIP parking, grand stand tickets and $200 cash. If you know anyone that deserves recognition of this sort, nominations are accepted until July 1. How's that for a little bit of promotion? I am truly looking forward to the next few months with the Blue Ribbon Foundation, and I'm sure you'll hear from me in the near future. Until next time!
Carly