DES MOINES — The smell of fried batter and the buzz of a crowd marked the start of the countdown to the Iowa State Fair on Saturday as the Blue Ribbon Foundation hosted its annual Corndog Kickoff in the Varied Industries Building. Organizers said the event attracted more than 2,000 attendees, who came for early tastes of fair food and to support improvements to the fairgrounds.
Fundraising tied to fair preservation
The Blue Ribbon Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and expanding the fairgrounds, uses the Kickoff both as a community preview and as a fundraiser. Over the years the foundation has raised significant sums for capital projects, and foundation officials pointed to those investments as central to maintaining the fair’s infrastructure.
“When we do our polling, why do people come to the Iowa State Fair? Number one thing is always food,” said Executive Director Peter Cownie.
Auctions held at the Corndog Kickoff — both silent and live — feature hundreds of items. The foundation’s auction efforts brought in nearly $900,000 last year, and organizers said they hope to exceed that figure this year. Across past campaigns, the foundation reports it has raised more than $225 million for capital improvements on the fairgrounds, including a renovation that cost more than $40 million for a historic livestock barn.
Food, community and momentum
For many attendees, the event is about more than fundraising; it’s an early dose of fair culture. One guest summed it up simply:
“If it’s fried, it’s good. If it’s from Iowa, it’s fantastic.”
The Corndog Kickoff provides a practical preview of what the State Fair will emphasize this year — especially its food offerings, which consistently rank as the top reason Iowans attend. Beyond tastes and auctions, the night gives fair planners a chance to showcase recent renovations and remind the public how funds are being invested.
- Attendance: more than 2,000
- Annual auction proceeds (last year): nearly $900,000
- Total raised for capital improvements: over $225 million
- Recent rehabilitation: historic livestock barn renovation, more than $40 million
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Kickoff attendance | More than 2,000 |
| Last year’s auction proceeds | Nearly $900,000 |
| Cumulative capital funds raised | Over $225 million |
| Livestock barn renovation | More than $40 million |
As the fair approaches, events like the Corndog Kickoff will continue to play a role in sustaining the fairgrounds and keeping the State Fair prominent in Iowa’s summer calendar.
