As you plan for 2025, be sure to mark these important dates on your calendar and stay engaged with the Blue Ribbon Foundation throughout the year.
February: Variety Star Playground - The Blue Ribbon Foundation will continue our fundraising efforts for the new all-inclusive playground for the month of February. We can’t wait to see kids and adults of all ages and abilities enjoying Fun Forest.
March 31: Deadline for Giving Programs - Celebrate your Fair-loving family with an engraved brick or paver on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Check out the donor walls inside the 4-H Building or Jacobson Exhibition Center. The deadline to have an item in place by the 2025 Iowa State Fair is March 31.
April: Back the Barns - Hopefully with warmer weather, crews will make progress on the Horse Barn renovation. Phase one includes exterior painting, window replacement, masonry repairs and north restroom renovations. Join this specific fundraiser and receive your commemorative belt buckle.
We’ll also have our T-Shirt Design Contest. Submit your entry and you could be chosen to have your shirt sold during the Iowa State Fair!
May: Volunteers - Although we don’t have a specific sign-up date or deadline yet, May is the Blue Ribbon Foundation’s month to start recruiting volunteers. Each year, more than 600 volunteers donate their time and energy by helping sell merchandise and bottled water at the Foundation's many stands. We’d love to have your help. If you are interested, please email Meg for details.
June: Interns - Three interns will join our staff. Be on the lookout for information coming from Grace, Madison and Maya!
July 1: Deadline to submit your Iowan of the Day application - There are so many people across Iowa that contribute to making our state a better place to live, work, and raise a family. Now, more than ever - the Blue Ribbon Foundation wants to recognize the most deserving. Start working on your application now so we can honor the outstanding volunteer in your life.
July 12: Corndog Kickoff - The Corndog Kickoff Benefit Auction and Fair Food Grazing Party is a fun-filled night with your favorite Fair foods and a variety of unique auction packages up for bid to satisfy any State Fair enthusiast. As our largest fundraiser, this event gets you ready for the Iowa State Fair while making future renovation projects a possibility.
August 7-17: Iowa State Fair - The Blue Ribbon Foundation is planning new and fun ways to engage donors during the Iowa State Fair! We will sell new merchandise, host BINGO, and showoff all of the improvements projects completed.
These are just a few of the many fundraising opportunities the Blue Ribbon Foundation has planned for the year. Stay tuned—some exciting announcements are still under wraps!
Are you getting our monthly ENews? If not, sign up on our website! It's the best way to stay up-to-date. Details about all of these exciting events and programs can be found on our website: www.BlueRibbonFoundation.org