A Great State Fair: The Blue Ribbon Foundation and the Revival of the Iowa State

For decades, the Iowa State Fair was considered the classic summer exposition; it was what most Americans envisioned when they thought of a state fair. But years of neglect almost destroyed the once grand, turn-of-the-century fairgrounds. After a number of efforts to save the facility failed, the Iowa State Fair Board created the Blue Ribbon Foundation, hoping it could raise millions of dollars needed to restore the grounds. It worked, succeeding beyond the board’s wildest dreams. Under the longtime leadership of John Putney and now guided by Peter Cownie, the foundation has raised an amazing $135 million since its creation 25 years ago. Author William Friedricks takes you behind the scenes of the roller coaster ride of ups and downs of the Iowa State Fair’s long history, leading up to the Blue Ribbon Foundation and the remarkable renaissance it brought about at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, now bigger and better than ever.

William B. Friedricks is a professor of history and director of the Iowa History Center at Simpson College. A leading Iowa historian and award-winning author, he serves as the editor of the Iowa and the Midwest Experience book series at the University of Iowa Press.