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.
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!
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!
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
I don't think it could be any more beautiful outside today! As I alluded in my last post, on days like this, I try to find an excuse to get outside and enjoy the weather, if only for a minute or two. Well, mission accomplished! I needed to check on a tree location, and with camera in tow, I snapped a few shots of our beautiful Fairgrounds!
Many Fair-lovers only venture to the grounds once a year, in August, but we actually have many visitors all times of the year. As I sit at my desk with my screen door open, I can hear children laughing as they play in the Fun Forest right across the street from our office. I've also seen bicycles, motorcycles, state boards and dog-walkers out and about enjoying the unusually warm March temperatures. The warmer it gets, the faster the Fair seems to approach and I get more and more excited for August to be here!
Here are a few shots of some trees in bloom on the east side of the Fairgrounds:
It's because of your help and support that we can keep our Fairgrounds in prime condition and beautiful in all four of Iowa's seasons. Thanks again for all you do to keep our State Fair (and Fairgrounds) the best in the nation! Remember, the giving program deadline is the end of this week so if you're wanting an item in place for this year's Fair, be sure to get that turned in as soon as possible!
It's been 4 months since I've taken on the role as Sponsorship Director here at the Blue Ribbon Foundation, and I finally feel like I'm really getting into the swing of things. I'm starting to answer the questions rather than ask them all the time (although there are still plenty of questions that come up), and I have officially started a countdown to the 2012 Iowa State Fair (135 days!). I have even started having dreams about the Fair.
Last week I had the opportunity to travel to Chicago to attend a national sponsorship conference. It was a great experience and I came back excited and ready to tackle the rest of the 135 days with vigor. Sometimes I get wrapped up in the "Fair world" and forget that there are other organizations and events out there doing exactly what I do. It was encouraging to share ideas with different industries and discuss ideas that could be interchangeable.
One random fact I learned at the conference for all you basketball fans out there: Ed Erhardt with ESPN was a keynote speaker at the conference and said that out of the 9 million brackets that were submitted online for March Madness, once Missouri and Duke lost, not one of the 9 million brackets had the chance to be perfect!
Random basketball facts aside, the conference was really encouraging and gave me a newfound appreciation for sponsorship and what we have been able to accomplish at the Iowa State Fair so far. We truly are one of the best in the nation, and I am anxious to really use these next 135 days to their full advantage and make the 2012 Iowa State Fair the best one yet!
After 13 years working at the Foundation you might think that I would have my job down pat and have a set routine. Thankfully I am very happy to report that is far from the reality. We are always searching for new ways to increase awareness of the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and to introduce new ways to support our renovation mission.
In 19 years the Foundation has raised over $85 million for renovation and improvement projects. In this short time we've restored dignity to the Fairgrounds and increased the pride that Iowan's have in the grand event known as the Iowa State Fair. And, while there is still much to be done and several projects either underway or in the planning stage (Cultural Center, 4H Building, Expo Hill, Pioneer Hall), we started looking into the future. What was going to protect the investment made over the past 19 years? Thus, the idea of an endowment fund was born.
Over the past year we've been busy creating Our Fair's Future, our new endowment program that focuses on gift planning. Establishing an endowment fund now, one that will grow over time, will assure funding for perpetual maintenance and improvement of the Fairgrounds. This program has kept us busy as we've worked with the legislature in creating a fund separate from the State of Iowa, developed a planned giving section of our website and established a newsletter and e-news campaign to spread the word about our new program.
Donating to the endowment fund can be as easy as a direct gift of cash or something with a bit more planning such as an outright gift of stock or real estate/land, a gift of life insurance or retirement assets. The most common planned gift is through a bequest in a will but there are about as many ways to make a gift as there are needs to be met. (Believe me, I've been learning a lot this past year....annuities, charitable trusts, remainder gifts. I'm thinking Dad was right, this history major should have taken a few more financial/accounting classes!) And, as I've discovered, you don't have to be wealthy to be able to leave a lasting legacy to an organization close to your heart. It's just a bit of learning, some planning and maybe a lot of organizing of your papers; which are all good things to do anyway. And, to help you out, we've provided a variety of tools to help you learn, plan and organize. So, take a moment to explore these tools and help ensure Our Fair's Future.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but it's almost the end of March, which means it's time to get in all of your orders for items to be placed on the Fairgrounds for this year's Fair! This deadline includes placement for bricks, trees, benches, lamp posts, granite pavers and seat plaques. If you're still deciding on last minute inscriptions, you've got until the end of next week to get those turned in!
With this deadline approaching, I do get the opportunity to get out of my office a little more frequently than in the cold winter months. And, with this incredible weather we've been having, I try to find any excuse to go check things out on the grounds. Double checking tree and lamp post availability or confirming a brick inscription are always good reasons to step outside for a little while. I was heading out to take some photos of our grounds now that they're greening up, but it's gotten pretty dark in the last few minutes, so maybe I'll get some photos taken later this week.
Again, please remember to get your donations turned in to meet the end of March deadline. For your convenience, I've linked the different programs below if you're still interested in getting something set for Fair 2012. Questions? Shoot me an email and I'll be happy to help!
I've decided to take a break from signing my giant stack of ticket letters to give Fan Fair members a quick update on what to expect in the upcoming weeks in regard to early ticket purchasing. Also, I want to thank all who participated and helped us raise a record high for the Fan Fair program- all proceeds go directly back to the Fairgrounds to help improve and preserve it for the future!
That being said, on to what you've all been wondering...when you can get your tickets! You will be receiving your Fan Fair ticket purchasing information next week via US mail. Please be watching your mail for this information coming from the Blue Ribbon Foundation. This mailing includes a letter explaining the ticket ordering process (complete with your unique Fan Fair offer code), a list of the Grandstand lineup and ordering instructions.
The Fan Fair pre-sale will begin April 4 at 10:00 a.m. and last through April 8 at 10:00 p.m.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public on April 14th, so if you missed out on Fan Fair, don't worry, you can still purchase tickets to your favorite Grandstand show the following week. Click here for a full list of the concerts that will be at this year's Fair.
Well, back to practicing my autograph...500 more or so to go! As always, if you have any questions about Fan Fair or any other giving programs, let me know!
My name is Jenna Mushro and I am a student at Drake University, more than excited to start here at the Blue Ribbon Foundation. As a junior studying public relations, marketing and English, I am thrilled to have the real world work experience I am already getting at my second week at the BRF.
I am from Apple Valley, a suburb of the Twin Cities (yes, I have heard comments in Iowa about my Minnesooota accent!). Last year I finally had the chance to attend the Iowa State Fair, what an eye opening day! At the end of the day at the fair my feet were sore and I consumed A LOT of delicious food. The pain and calories were definitely worth it. I am excited to be a part of the fair that nothing compares and see the hard work and enthusiasm that goes into making it the best fair in the country.
A little more about myself..I love sports. I have been involved in soccer and volleyball since I could walk, and I became passionate about running since I joined my high school cross country team. I bleed purple and yellow. The Vikings games consume most of my weekends during NFL season, hopefully they won't dampen most of my Sundays next season!
Currently, I am wrapping up a public relations campaign competition with the Drake University Public Relations Student Society of America Bateman team. Along with four other students, I worked diligently on creating awareness of childhood obesity and promoting healthy living in the Des Moines community. Through our Healthy Kids Relays event, flash zumba mob at Jordan Creek Mall, YMCA carnivals and several presentations to schools and community organizations, we had great success. Now we are creating the write-up to send to New York judges, fingers crossed we are a finalist!
I am honored to have the opportunity to work on the Iowan of the Day program that recognizes ten outstanding Iowans at the 2012 Iowa State Fair. Those who go out of their way to help others deserve this great award. In that case, here is my first of many reminders in the next few months..don't forget to nominate a star Iowan for this award by July 1. I know it might seem a bit early for July deadline announcements, but we all know how fast time flies!
Click here for more Iowan of the Day information.
Jenna Mushro
Planning for the 2012 Corndog Kickoff has begun! With this year's theme, "It's a Sweet Thing," we celebrate sixteen years of the Kickoff in addition to all of the sweet things found at the Fair. We plan to incorporate a sweet sixteen celebration and also play off the Fair's "It's Fairlicious" theme that features Fair foods. Our vision may morph as time passes, but thanks to the help of our advisory team, we are off to a great start!
Last night was our first advisory meeting to talk about the theme and other logistics of the Kickoff. While we've had a successful event for the past fifteen years, we are always looking for new, creative ideas to keep the event exciting and new. Last year we added a bandana game where participants purchased a souvenir bandana for $10 and then played a game to win 50% of the total amount raised. By several rounds of the flip of a coin, the winner walked away with nearly $1,700! People really enjoyed this addition during the live auction, and we plan to do it again in 2012. So "heads up" to those coming this year - be sure to purchase your bandana to get in the game! If you have any creative ideas to suggest we add to the event, feel free to send them my way via email.
Playing the Bandana Game at the 2011 Kickoff! The Winner!
Another aspect of the Kickoff which is underway right now is patron registration. Each year at the event, attendees have the opportunity to become patrons for the event. There are five different levels which include ticket and publicity packages. The levels begin at $250 and range up to $7,500. Levels $1,000 and up receive a reserved table at the event in addition to the other perks. To check out the different patron levels and what they have to offer, click here. The renewal mailing will be sent tomorrow, so past patrons be checking your mailboxes soon. Online registration will also be up by early next week. For those of you just interested in general tickets, those will go on sale in mid-May.
I can't believe the Kickoff is just right around the corner! As I go over my notes from last night's meeting, I find myself getting so exciting for yet another great Kickoff - it's going to be "sweet!"