Celebrate Iowa State Fair?s ?Locally Grown? traditions at 2016 Corndog Kickoff

DES MOINES ? The internationally acclaimed Iowa State Fair attracts more than a million people from around the world each year, but has retained its small-town charm by showcasing quality fresh grown produce, farm-raised livestock and top-notch Iowa artists.

Join the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation to celebrate ?Locally Grown? traditions during its 20th annual Corndog Kickoff Benefit Auction and Fair Food Grazing Party July 9 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

Doors to the William C. Knapp Varied Industries Building open at 6:30 p.m. for a night filled with exciting auction packages, entertainment and everyone?s favorite fair foods. Get in the spirit for the 2016 Iowa State Fair while raising funds to renovate and restore the historic fairgrounds.

Since its inception in 1997, the Corndog Kickoff has raised more than $4.4 million for fairgrounds renovations. Last year?s event drew a crowd of nearly 2,000, raising a record high $460,000.

Highlights from this year?s 28 live and 234 silent auction packages include:

? Nothing Could be Finer ? Discover another state fair with a trip to Raleigh, North Carolina, in October with round-trip airfare for two included. Enjoy a fireworks show from the drop zone and three North Carolina museums.

? Deer Season ? Here?s an opportunity to have an out-of-state hunting buddy join you during deer season. One out-of-state deer tag good for any of the 2016-17 or 2017-18 hunting seasons: shot gun, bow or muzzle loading.

? A Night in the Grandstand ? Enjoy one of the following favorite acts of entertainment at the 2016 Iowa State Fair: Meghan Trainor, Dierks Bentley, Jeff Dunham, or Steven Tyler. These packages include grandstand tickets, backstage passes, gate admission and a parking pass.

? Know When to Hold ?Em ? Don?t miss the opportunity to own this special poker table. A replica of President Harry Truman?s favored poker table, this piece was handcrafted by two central Iowans.

All-inclusive Corndog Kickoff tickets are $75 prior to June 30 and increase to $100 in July. 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 nonprofit organization. Since its inception in 1993, the foundation has generated more than $115 million for renovations to the Iowa State Fairgrounds. For information on the Corndog Kickoff, contact the foundation at 800-450-3732 or BlueRF@BlueRibbonFoundation.org.