Blue Ribbon Blog

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.

Please follow our blog to learn more about our organization.

Introducing the Newest Intern at the BRF Office

May 22, 2012
Intern's picture

Hello Everyone!
My name is Madison Boswell and I am a student at Simpson College. I am so excited to be a part of the Blue Ribbon Foundation this summer! At Simpson I am studying Creative Integrated Marketing Communications and music, and as the 2012 Special Events Intern with the Foundation this summer, I am excited to work on the event planning side of things as part of my responsibilities this summer.

I grew up just outside of Humboldt, Iowa, a small town in northwest Iowa, so living in Des Moines this summer seems very big city to me! I am looking forward to being at the State Fair all day every day this year. Growing up in Humboldt I was active in the county 4-H program with projects, showing cattle, and county council. Through 4-H I was able to get involved at the Iowa State Fair through my involvement in 4-H with communications, projects, and Share the Fun performances. In 2010 I graduated from Humboldt High School and I recently finished up my sophomore year at Simpson College. While at school I stay very involved in a variety of activities. I am active in the Simpson media organizations as a photojournalist and writer for the student newspaper and magazine, I participate in choir and the newly formed Simpson Orchestra, Wesley Service Scholar volunteer program, I am an active member of Pi Beta Phi sorority where I serve as VP of Communications, and I am the Secretary for the Simpson Shooting Sports club. In my free time I enjoy singing, playing violin, photography, spending time with friends and family (including my pets!), and traveling.

It only being my second day at the Blue Ribbon Foundation, I already feel extremely welcome and at home here. I have started work on different projects dealing with different events this summer that will take place before and during the fair. It is so exciting and interesting to see all the behind the scenes work that goes on to plan so many important events that go on during the fair.
If you have any questions about upcoming events feel free to contact me via email (madison@blueribbonfoundation.org) or by phone (515-262-3111 ext. 677).

Corndog Kickoff Auction

May 16, 2012
jennabeary's picture

It's a blissful 75 degrees here at the Iowa State Fairgrounds today, and it's clear that summer is here to stay. Two out of the three interns have started full time, and we are in full swing planning the Corndog Kickoff and Iowa State Fair.

This year will be my first Corndog Kickoff, and I cannot wait to see all of the hard work and planning come together. One of the committees I am involved with this year is the Auction committee, and I could not be more impressed with people's willingness to support this great event. Auction donations are pouring in, and we're starting to put together some fantastic packages.

In the next couple of weeks, I encourage you to keep the Corndog Kickoff in mind as you plan your summer. It's a wonderful event with great food, entertainment, and auction items. All proceeds go towards the preservation and renovation of our Fairgrounds. For more information on donating to the auction, or to purchase your ticket, please visit http://blueribbonfoundation.org/events/corndog-kickoff.

The Newest Addition to the BRF Office

May 8, 2012
Intern's picture

Hello BRF and Iowa State Fair Fans!

My name is Molly Foley and I am the 2012 Special Projects Intern for the Blue Ribbon Foundation this summer! I am really looking forward to getting to work with and meet all of the volunteers and supporters of the BRF. Yesterday was my first day here in the office and I have already learned so much. I started the day going through files from previous Special Project Interns to get a feel for what I would be doing this summer and the best ways to accomplish those tasks. I also had plenty of emails to read from several eager volunteers for both the Corn Dog Kickoff and the State Fair. I cannot wait to get going here in the office and make the summer of 2012 with the Blue Ribbon Foundation a great one!

I grew up on an acreage just outside of Huxley, Iowa where we breed and raise Trakehners, a Warmblood breed of horse from Europe. I grew up in the Iowa  4-H Program and had several opportunities to attend the Iowa State Fair with projects, presentations, and performances.  I graduated from Ballard High School in 2010 and I just finished my sophomore year at Iowa State University as a double major in Agricultural Communications and Public Service & Administration in Agriculture. I am a die-hard Cyclones fan and stay very involved at Iowa State as a member of many clubs and organizations. I enjoy running, Iowa State football & basketball games, tailgating, singing, playing softball & tennis, and training/showing my Trakehner “Annie” across the Midwest.

 92 Days. That’s It. The opening day of the 2012 Iowa State Fair is quickly approaching! But here in the BRF office we have several other projects we are working on before those gates open on August 9th. One of those projects is the Corn Dog Kickoff. This summer it will be held on Saturday, July 14th, in the William C. Knapp Varied Industries Building here on the fairgrounds.  As a BRF summer intern I am really looking forward to being a part of the behind-the-scenes planning and organizing of such a well-known event!

From the moment I walked into the office yesterday and learned of my summer projects, I have had volunteer scheduling on my mind. 2012 Volunteer Registration Forms will be sent out in the next few weeks and we will start to schedule volunteers as soon as they are sent back to the BRF! I love getting phone calls and emails from new and returning volunteers asking how to sign up for this summer’s Fair. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me via email (molly@blueribbonfoundation.org) or phone (515-262-3111 ext. 679).

  

Beep, Bang, Clang....

May 3, 2012
robintaylor's picture

Normally the area of the Fairgrounds where our office is located is pretty quiet, disturbed only by the swish of the turbine, tweet of the birds and chirping voices of children playing on the train. That hasn't been the case the past few days.  It's been quite noisy as work has begun on two projects up "on the hill." Just to the east of our office a new access point is being made for Expo Hill. Between the MidAmerican Building and us, dirt has been removed and our maintenance staff is constructing the footings for a new stairway and sidewalk.  We've had end loaders, dump trucks, skid loaders and now cement trucks rolling past.  Thankfully the office hasn't been vibrating as it did when they drilled the footings for the wind turbine!
 

The other project has been in the Cultural Center.  When I walked by a few days ago it sounded like the bees had moved from the Ag Building to find new digs. I walked in and discovered that construction had begun to install the elevators, making the Cultural Center fully accessible. Workers were sawing out concrete block in the area where the elevators will be.  About an hour ago I checked on the progress again as I'd noticed dump trucks, mini-excavators and skid loaders working the past few days. There are now two holes where the bases of the elevators will be and various other cuts for electrical lines.  Quite a challenge to make such a change in a concrete building.

And, to jump to the opposite side of the grounds, work is nearing completion on the paving of the parking lot to the west of the 4-H Building. Soon when you come to an event in this busy building, you'll not have to worry about the occasional lake that a heavy rain has made of the parking lot. Yet one more improvement to the southwest corner of the Fairgrounds that will continue to increase what we can offer, both during the Fair and throughout the year.

So, when you come to the Fair this year, you'll have to check these three areas out for sure and give yourself a pat on the back, as your support of the Foundation and the Fair has helped make these improvements possible.

Thank you!

Robin

Spring Manager's Conference

April 30, 2012
allysonkrull's picture

Sorry we let a week get by us since our last post- it's been crazy around here lately! Monday through Thursday last week the Iowa State Fair hosted the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) Spring Manger's Conference. Designed for upper level management staff of Fairs across the United States and Canada, the program included a variety of workshops, keynote speakers, committee meetings and networking opportunities for conference attendees.

The week kicked off with a reception at Dennis Albaugh's private Chevrolet car collection in Ankeny. Much of my time was spent preparing for this party as I was in charge of decorating for a 1950s sock hop. The next day focused on a crisis management session where participants conducted case studies on crises that could happen at any time during a fair or festival. Attendees also got a tour of our beautiful Fairgrounds and facilities, then ended the evening with a fair food grazing party at the Elwell Family Food Center. Wednesday and Thursday were filled with workshops, speakers and meetings, all held at the Marriott Downtown. All of the Iowa State Fair staff worked hard to put on a successful conference. It was a busy week, but all seemed to go off without a hitch!

Now it's back to preparing for other upcoming events such as the Corndog Kickoff! We're well on our way, but still have a lot to do! Also, interns will start full time in the next couple of weeks and we are very excited to add them to our Blue Ribbon Team!

Show Your Iowa Pride!

April 23, 2012
Intern's picture

As I continue working at the Blue Ribbon Foundation, there are a couple characteristics I have picked up about the atmosphere here so far:

   1. Everyone is so friendly.

From the staff within the Blue Ribbon Foundation, to the volunteers and donors I speak to on the phone, I have yet to come across someone who has not greeted me with a smile and enthusiasm. Everyone is open to answer questions and willing to help each other out with any problems or projects a fellow fair worker is enduring. While collecting donations for the Corndog Kickoff auctions, store managers are always pleased to donate items for a great cause and describe to me their favorite fair experiences growing up.  

   2. The fair means a lot to Iowans, and I can see why!

There is a ton of work put into the success of the fair to make sure everyone who steps within the fairgrounds has a good time. There are also so many programs, concerts, contests and shows to get involved with. As I learned about Fan Fair, Buy a Brick and other giving programs, I realize there are countless ways to help preserve the fairgrounds while literally “making your mark”. In discussion with Corndog Kickoff committee members, they told me about their fair experiences and how they continue to be a dedicated volunteer after several years. I am excited to start counting down the days until I can see more contagious smiles on fair fans, volunteers and workers August 9-19. Also, I look forward to honoring ten special Iowans who show remarkable Iowa pride through the Iowan of the Day program. The nomination deadline is July 1st and the nomination forms can be found here. I can’t wait to be blown away by reading about all the wonderful people of Iowa as the nominations start coming in!

Jenna

Crunch time

April 18, 2012
jennabeary's picture

It's hard to believe that it's April 18th already and we are only a few short months away from the 2012 Iowa State Fair!

As I was out and about last night running some errands, I struck up a conversation with a woman and she asked me where I worked. I told her I worked for the Iowa State Fair and she asked me if things were gearing up around the office. I explained to her that I was actually in crunch time mode right now getting things solidified for our May 1st marketing deadline. She laughed at disbelief since it is only April 18th, but it takes a long time to plan the greatest State Fair in the nation!

With Grandstand tickets on sale (concerts are already selling out!), and Corndog Kickoff planning in full swing, I can't help but constantly have the Iowa State Fair on my mind. It doesn't hurt that we had one of the shortest winters I can remember, and the weather has been gorgeous this spring. I can just smell the funnel cakes and corn dogs now.

As I snap back to reality, I am thankful that we are still 112 days away from the Fair though. There is still plenty of planning to be done, and we wouldn't want to stop short of anything spectacular for 2012. As you sit down in the next month or so and plan out that summer calendar, be sure to give some thought to the Corn Dog Kickoff on July 14th and the Iowa State Fair August 9-19. I promise, you won't be sorry because after all - Nothing Compares!

 

Auction Dreaming

April 10, 2012
robintaylor's picture

Being able to think creatively is one of the things I enjoy about working at the Fair.  Right now trying to think of something new and different is a big part of my daily routine. This week I'm focusing attention on packages for the Corndog Kickoff. Just like the Fair, we always try and offer those favored traditional packages like helping sculpt the tail on the butter cow, getting a prime camping spot within the Fairgrounds or backstage passes to one of the Grandstand shows to name a few. But, it's always fun to let your brain wander and think of something new, the "what if's."  I think of it about like you might think of "what if I won the $640 million lottery jackpot."  What could be a really cool package....tickets to the Kentucky Derby, a vacation condo in Vermont, a week's stay at a home in England, tickets for the Broncos/Lakers/Cardinals?  The world is my oyster to dream up my wish list. And then I talk about my wish list with our volunteers and they do some of their own brainstorming and we end up with some very cool packages.

Now, I do have to admit that we tend not to get quite as exotic as my dreams but we've had some stellar packages. A home for a week in the Vail area of Colorado, a condo in Florida, tickets to Disney World, tickets with garage passes to a NASCAR race at Homestead, a ride on the Budweiser hitch and a wonderful number of backstage passes to some of the best concerts at the Fair. Plus, the silent auction has had everything but a kitchen sink I think. If you can't find something to bid on....well, I just don't know what you might like then. I guess I would say, tell me what you'd like to see and we'll see if we can track it down.

So if you happen to have any ideas or would like to donate an item, service or complete package to this year's Corndog Kickoff, I'd love to hear from you, Robin@BlueRibbonFoundation.org. I appreciate all the ideas that are shared as that is what has built the Kickoff into such a grand summer party!

Busy Start to April

April 6, 2012
allysonkrull's picture

Where does the time go?! I can't believe it's Friday, or APRIL, for that matter! It's been really busy here this week getting the Spring Newsletter pulled together, assisting with the Fan Fair ticket sales, taste testing Fair Squares, meeting with Corndog Kickoff committees, and of course getting the orders placed for bricks and other giving programs. With the weeks this busy, the Fair will be here in no time!

I want to thank everyone again for their support of the Fan Fair program and helping us to raise nearly $120,000 for Fairgrounds renovations! Your continued support means we will have a beautiful Fairgrounds and facilities for future generations to enjoy. We also want to thank you for your patience as we've changed up the ticket ordering process the last couple of years. Though there have been some growing pains, we are trying our best to give you more options and control on where you are seated for your favorite concerts. Again, thank you for your support!

We also met with our Corndog Kickoff Advisory team this week and we've got some great ideas brewing for yet another great Kickoff! For those of you who have a sweet tooth like I do, you're in for a treat! Picture larger than life Fair food decorations with cupcakes on every table, and your picture with/popping out of a giant cake. Nothing's set in stone yet, but it's going to be great. A save the date will be emailed out in a couple of weeks, but put it on your calendars now: July 14, 2012 will mark the 16th annual event. Tickets will go on sale mid-May, but if you're interested in donating at a patron level, click here for more information.

Well, I better get back to it- lots to do and so little time! 124 days!

 

Winding Down March, Iowan of the Day Program is Underway

March 30, 2012
Intern's picture

March has flown by and so has my first month here at the Blue Ribbon Foundation.

Yesterday I was able to attend my first Corndog Kickoff Meeting at the Blue Ribbon Foundation. I was overly excited to hear about upcoming plans for the event and meet more people who work so hard to make the Kickoff so great. After hearing about all the package ideas, I went home with my head spinning with possible new and creative ideas. I can’t wait to see the outcome when the kickoff is held July 14.

One of my main projects this summer is the Iowan of the Day Program. As I mentioned in my previous blog, I am already anxious to start reading nominations in search for ten Iowans to shine as stars of the day during the fair.

So far, I have been thinking up theme ideas and planning out the media kits that will be sent to media around the state soon!

I hope this post gets your mind running about whom you want to nominate for the Iowan of the Day and how you want to highlight them. You can download a nomination form here. Start to look out for forms at your local post office or call the Blue Ribbon Foundation at 1-800-450-3732. Don’t forget the nominees must currently reside in Iowa. All nomination forms must be received by July 1, 2012.

Jenna Mushro

 

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