Peggy Smith Named Iowa State Fair Iowan of the Day

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DES MOINES, IA (07/30/2025) (readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and Cookies Food Products are pleased to present Peggy Smith of Baxter as a 2025 Iowa State Fair Iowan of the Day.

Peggy does everything she can to help her community flourish. When she noticed the disrepair of the picnic tables at the local Sports Complex, she and her husband provided the labor to replace all the wood and bolts. To address the issue of littering along downtown sidewalks, she worked with the Baxter Chamber of Commerce to obtain a grant that financed the installation of new trash cans.

Peggy also recently introduced the concept of "Welcome Bags" to the Chamber of Commerce. These gift packages help welcome new residents to Baxter and provide information about the community. In addition to working with the Chamber of Commerce on these projects, Peggy organized a breast cancer walk in Baxter that raised $4,000, which she donated to the Mercy Cancer Center in Des Moines.

Peggy's day of recognition will be Thursday, August 14, at the 2025 Iowa State Fair. She will be recognized with a presentation on the Anne & Bill Riley Stage at 12:00 PM. Along with accommodations at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown, Peggy will receive Iowa State Fair admission tickets, Grandstand Concert tickets, use of the Iowan of the Day golf cart, VIP parking and a cash prize.

The Iowan of the Day program was founded by the Blue Ribbon Foundation in 1997 to honor outstanding Iowans who have made a difference in their communities. From nearly one hundred nominations, the Iowan of the Day committee selected ten Iowans who demonstrate exceptional integrity, hard work and dedication to their communities.

The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Since its inception in 1993, the Foundation has generated more than $210 million for the renovation and preservation of the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds. For more information, please contact the Blue Ribbon Foundation at 515-262-3111 Ext. 371 or Info@BlueRibbonFoundation.org.