DES MOINES, IA (07/16/2014)(readMedia)-- Iowa State Fair fans were "Rock'n Round the Grounds" on Saturday, July 12th at the Blue Ribbon Foundation's 18th annual Corndog Kickoff Benefit Auction and Fair Food Grazing Party. For the 4th consecutive year, the Corndog Kickoff has broken a record. Last Saturday's event raised a total of $424,000 for the renovation and preservation of the Iowa State Fairgrounds!
More than 1,800 Iowa State Fair supporters gathered for a night of fun, food and fundraising .The Blue Ribbon Foundation auctioned off 31 live and 205 silent auction packages for totals of $145,000 and $47,850, respectively. Patron contributions totaled $185,375. The remaining funds consisted of ticket and merchandise sales.
"The Corndog Kickoff set another record this year in terms of attendance and dollars raised. We cannot thank Iowans enough for their support. Their State Fair will continue to grow and prosper because of their generosity. Thank you," said Peter Cownie, Blue Ribbon Foundation Executive Director.
The Blue Ribbon Foundation encourages the public to attend this year's Iowa State Fair, August 7-17, and see the many improvements made possible through the support of Fair-lovers. Make a point to explore the finished renovation of the Patty and Jim Cownie Cultural Center. The final phase of construction added more restrooms accessible from the second floor entrance. There is now access to the plaza area from the hillside with a new set of stairs and landscaping. Improvements have also been made to the Youth Inn. The first phase of the renovation includes: a replaced roof, remodeled showers and the addition of cooling to the upper level.
Since its inception in 1993, the Blue Ribbon Foundation has been raising funds to renovate and restore the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds. More than $100 million has been generated to date and has supported 40 projects throughout the Fairgrounds. Improvements have been made to the William C. Knapp Varied Industries Building, the Grandstand, the Campgrounds and Ye Old Mill. In addition, funds support the building of new facilities such as the Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center, Elwell Family Food Center and the Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center.
The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. For more information, please contact the Foundation at (800) 450-3732, bluerf@blueribbonfoundation.
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