"It's a Sweet Thing" at the Corndog Kickoff

DES MOINES, IA (06/12/2012)(readMedia)-- The Blue Ribbon Foundation will host the sixteenth annual Corndog Kickoff Benefit Auction and Fair Food Grazing Party on Saturday, July 14 in the William C. Knapp Varied Industries Building on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. to celebrate the event's sixteenth year, with a focus on the Fair's sweet treats! "It's a Sweet Thing" to be a part of a night filled with exciting auction packages, entertainment and all of your favorite Fair foods, while helping to raise funds to restore the Iowa State Fairgrounds!

The live and silent auctions are filled with enticing packages. Take in the U.S. Cellular 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series in suite seats at the Iowa Speedway on August 4. See the Iowa State Fair in a new light with a behind the scenes tour of the Fairgrounds. Or, go backstage to meet Rascal Flatts, Little Big Town, the Eli Young Band and Edens Edge, plus see their concert from the front row!

The Corndog Kickoff has been a pre-fair tradition since it began in 1997. First held in Pioneer Hall, 480 people were in attendance. Since then, the event has grown to raise over $2.3 million for the restoration and preservation of the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The 2011 event brought in a crowd of 1,300 and raised a record high of $280,000!

"The Kickoff continues to grow and we are looking forward to another great year," said John Putney, executive director of the Blue Ribbon Foundation. "This event plays a vital role in our fundraising efforts to preserve and improve the Iowa State Fairgrounds and we are grateful for all of the support."

Take advantage of the advance ticket price by ordering now. All inclusive Corndog Kickoff tickets are $75 each until June 30. After that date, tickets will be $100. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Blue Ribbon Foundation at (800) 450-3732, online at www.blueribbonfoundation.org or at the door the night of the event.

The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Since its inception in 1993, the Foundation has generated more than $85 million for renovations and improvements to the Iowa State Fairgrounds. For more information on the Corndog Kickoff, please contact the Foundation at (800) 450-3732 or bluerf@blueribbonfoundation.org.

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