BIOWAlue STATE FAIR Foundation 20/20 Ribbon his year is going to be perfect! How do I know? I have 20/20 vision! All joking aside, let’s talk about a simple vision that grew into a T conceptV and createdision a mission. The Iowa State Fair began in 1854 as an event where farmers, manufacturers and homemakers would bring together their products in “amicable rivalry.” What started out as livestock judging and a showcase of crops slowly developed into a must-attend experience brimming with tradition. Drew Sniezek Communications Manager Many buildings on the Iowa State Fairgrounds were constructed before 1920. Because they were unheated, Iowa’s freeze-thaw cycle took its toll. By the late 1970s, loose mortar, sagging roofs, rotting windows and unsafe wiring were robbing the Fairgrounds of its dignity. Although the Fair was operating in the black, neither profits nor legislative appropriations were enough to curtail the crumbling. Despite the Fairgrounds being listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the prospect of a gradual shutdown of the unsafe facility loomed. A simple vision In 1993, the Iowa State Fair Board created the Blue Ribbon Foundation. The that grew into Foundation’s charge was to conduct a major capital campaign for renovation a concept and and preservation of the Fairgrounds – with a vision for the future. created a mission. Fast-forward 27 years and the Blue Ribbon Foundation continues to create new programs to offer Fairgoers ways to support various improvement projects across the Fairgrounds. This year is no exception. Progress continues on the renovation of the Bruce L. Rastetter 4-H Building. Crews worked this fall to remove a portion of the south exterior wall, creating space for a new kitchen facility, storage area and loading bays. An expansion to the west will add classroom space, and the interior of the building will be revitalized from top to bottom with new lighting, floors and updated restrooms all to be complete by August. Over the next several months, the Iowa State Fair will create a new interactive family garden, build a cookie-baking kitchen and update the Livestock Pavilion restrooms. These are just a handful of projects that will improve a Fairgoer’s Index2 Noted, Happy Hour experience during the 2020 Iowa State Fair. Fundraiser, Corndog Tax Checkoff As we look to the next decade, the Iowa State Fair’s goal remains the same — 3 T.A.G. Team celebrate Iowa’s agricultural heritage to further education while offering 4 Champion’s Circle entertainment and competition for all ages. The Blue Ribbon Foundation is Thank You dedicated to providing a quality environment and facilities to accomplish that goal. 5 Roll of Donors Thank you for supporting the Blue Ribbon Foundation’s vision and joining our 28 Mailbox, Donor Profile mission to make it a reality. Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation Newsletter Winter 2020 Noted! When the Iowa State Fair wraps up, Fairgoers start patiently waiting. The Blue • SAVE THE DATES Ribbon Foundation knows winter can be the hardest part of the wait. Once Halfway to the Fair you flip the calendar, February is 6 months until the best celebration of the Happy Hour Fundraiser: year. That’s only 182 days until you get to eat your favorite food-on-a-stick and Friday, February 7 join in the beloved traditions. Stop counting down the days and join the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation as we fast-forward to August! Corndog Kickoff: Saturday, July 11 The Blue Ribbon Foundation is hosting the 2nd annual Halfway to the Fair Happy Hour Fundraiser on Friday, February 7 in the Elwell Family Iowa State Fair: Food Center on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Attendees will enjoy live August 13-23 music from the Dueling Pianos of Andy Anderson & Mike Leeds, eat • Blue Ribbon Foundation Fair-inspired appetizers and help support future Iowa State Fairgrounds giving program orders are due improvements benefitting you and your family. by March 31 to be placed in time Purchase your $50 admission ticket online at www.BlueRibbonFoundation.org for the 2020 Iowa State Fair. or by calling the Blue Ribbon Foundation office at 515-262-3111 Ext. 371. • Iowa State Fair Board member Admission ticket includes entertainment and appetizers. Doors open at C.W. Thomas, of Guthrie Center, 5:30 pm, entertainment starts at 6:00 pm. received one of five Heritage Awards presented at the 2019 Thank you to our event sponsors: Air-Con Mechanical IAFE annual convention. The Corporation, Awards Unlimited, Mary & Peter Cownie, award was given in recognition of his Daniels Filter Service, Dawghouse Concessions, commitment to the Guthrie County Fair Dee Zee, Great Western Bank, Iowa-Des Moines Supply, and community volunteerism, as well as MercyOne, Reliable Roofing, SCI Communications, his hard work and dedication to ensuring US Erectors and Vision Electric. the success of the Iowa State Fair. C.W. is donating the $1000 award prize to Let’s celebrate Iowa’s favorite summertime the Blue Ribbon Foundation for the tradition 6 months early! renovation of the 4-H Building. CALL 515 -262-3111 E x t. 371 EMAIL [email protected] MAIL P.O. Box 57130 | Des Moines, IA 50317 Thank you for your past support of the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation’s Corndog Checkoff campaign. Staff The momentum continues! Improvements to the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds are possible because Fairgoers like you contribute to The Blue Ribbon Foundation staff consists of four full-time employees. renovation and preservation efforts through the annual Corndog Peter Cownie, Executive Director, oversees the entire operation. Checkoff tax donation opportunity. Robin Taylor, Assistant Director, tracks all accounting records, orders Fair merchandise and directs the auction portion of The Corndog Checkoff provides an easy way to help preserve the the Corndog Kickoff. Fairgrounds for future generations through a tax-deductible donation on your Iowa return. Please consider donating when completing your Meg Courter, Sponsorship Director, coordinates all sponsorships for the Iowa State Fair and the Corndog Tax Checkoff. 2019 taxes. Look for “State Fair” on line 57b on Form 1040. Every dollar donated is directed to preserving the Fairgrounds. Drew Sniezek, Communications Manager, organizes giving programs and oversees all communications and event planning. For more information visit www.BlueRibbonFoundation.org/ CorndogCheckoff. 2 T. A . G. be one of our T.A.G. Team members to make the project happen. For a $250 donation, only 100 donors will be accepted into this unique group. Your name will be listed Come join our T.A.G. Team! This new groupTeam of as a key player in the renovation project and you 100 donors has been created to bring like-minded, will receive a commemorative pin to denote your Fair-loving individuals together to make the Iowa membership in the 2020 T.A.G. Team. State Fairgrounds an even better place. It’s a simple We welcome your participation in our T.A.G. concept; Together we can Accomplish our Goals. Team so Together we can Accomplish our Goals The T.A.G. Team is composed of 100 donors who JOIN TODAY. want to make an immediate, positive and direct impact on our historic Fairgrounds by tackling a smaller renovation project. The 2020 improvement goal is to remodel the Livestock Pavilion’s two restrooms. The Blue Ribbon Foundation has already secured a $30,000 grant from Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino to launch the project. We are asking you to Yes! I want to join the 2020 T.A.G. Team! Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________ Company: _______________________________________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________________________________ City, State, ZIP: ___________________________________________________________________________ Phone: ____________________________ Email: _________________________________________________ $250 Membership Check Credit Card #: _________________________________________________________________________ Exp. Date: ______________________________________________ Sec. Code: ________________________ Signature: ________________________________________________________________________________ 3 Circle n endowment gift to the Iowa State Fair Blue • Recognition in estate gift listings in Foundation publications. Ribbon FoundationChampion today presents a brighter • An invitations to a special Fair reception. picture for our future. When you make a • Guest’ passes for Jake’s Club. donation to our endowment, you give a gift A with both immediate and long-term benefits. Some gifts that qualify for Champion’s Circle membership are: • Making an outright gift of $1,000 or more to the Blue Ribbon Endowment donations are invested. A portion of the annual Foundation’s endowment fund. income from the investment can be used to address immediate renovation needs on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The remaining • Making a bequest with a value of at least $1,000 to the Blue funds are reinvested to ensure indefinite support. Ribbon Foundation in a will or trust. • Naming the Blue Ribbon Foundation as a beneficiary of a life To show our appreciation for donors who contribute to Our Fair’s insurance policy. Future endowment fund, we have created Champion’s Circle. We look forward to your ongoing partnership and support as we • Naming the Blue Ribbon Foundation as a beneficiary of an continue to improve the Iowa State Fair for today’s visitors and IRA or other retirement plan. future generations.