Woodcarvers' Auction 2025

For years, Fairgoers have enjoyed watching Gary Keenan, T.J. Jenkins and Clint Henik use chainsaws to carve masterpieces out of wood at the Iowa State Fair. The Woodcarvers' Auction is your opportunity to take one of these unique carvings home. The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation will host the 2025 Woodcarvers' Auction as a hybrid event with some items sold in-person and other items sold online.

• The live in-person auction will take place on Sunday, August 17 at 3:30 PM at the John and Emily Putney Family Cattle Barn's Penningroth Media Center.
• Some of the carvings will be available for online bidding starting Saturday, August 16 at 10:00 AM and closing on Sunday, August 17 at 5:30 PM.
• Online items will be available for preview starting Friday, August 16 at 10:00 AM. 
• All proceeds benefit the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation's mission of renovating the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds.

Fairgoers are invited to watch the chainsaw artists carve their wooden creations each day of the Fair, August 7-17, at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 3:30 PM and 5:30 PM on Expo Hill. Past carvings have included wildlife animals and sport's team logos. Prepare to be amazed when you see these skilled woodcarvers in action!

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or call 515-262-3111 Ext. 371.

Thank you for supporting the Blue Ribbon Foundation's mission to renovate and preserve the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds. 

Bidding Details:
Auction bidding is open from 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 16 to 5:30 PM (CST) on Sunday, August 17.

• To bid, you must register as a bidder and provide the required information on the form, including a valid credit card number. 
• All sales are final and non-refundable. Woodcarvings are sold as is. The Foundation provides no warranty or guarantee on any item.
• A receipt for your purchases will be emailed to you within 72 hours of the auction closing.
• The buyer is solely responsible for compliance with any federal, state or local tax laws governing your purchase. We recommend consulting your tax professional.

How to pick up your Woodcarving:

• Woodcarvings can be picked up at the Maintenance Building on the Iowa State Fairgrounds starting on Monday, August 18. Hours are 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM. Woodcarvings must be picked up by 3:30 PM on Friday, August 22. 
• Please contact the Blue Ribbon Foundation if other pick-up arrangements need to be made. ([email protected] or 515-262-3111 Ext. 371)
• If you are at the Iowa State Fair on Sunday, August 17 and win an online item, you can pick up your woodcarving from the Maintenance Building following the in-person live auction until 7:00 PM. The Fairgrounds will not be open for entry/re-entry beginning at 7:00 PM. If you choose this option, please report to the cashout table at the in-person auction to pick up a load/unload pass and receive directions to the Maintenance Building.
• If the woodcarving you won is not picked up by August 22 or other arrangements have not been made with the Blue Ribbon Foundation, we will consider your items a donation back to the Foundation and will use the unclaimed items in future events.
• Shipping is not being offered on any items. 

Other important auction information:

• The Blue Ribbon Foundation is not liable or responsible in any way for the loss, injury or damage to any person or property arising from the use of an auction item. By participating in the auction, bidders agree to release and hold the Foundation harmless from any claim arising from the use of goods or services offered at auction.
• The Foundation reserves the right to withdraw any item from sale at any time or change the item's description/listing.
• Packages may be added or altered until the start of bidding at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 16.
• The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. While donations to the Foundation are tax deductible, purchases of items of value are not fully tax deductible. The amount paid for an item over the fair market value may be considered a tax deductible contribution. Your emailed receipt will indicate the value of the package(s) you purchased. Please retain these receipts and consult with your tax professional.

Our thanks to the Woodcarvers, Gary Keenan, T.J. Jenkins and Clint Henik, who have made this auction possible!

 
If you have any questions related to the auction or the Blue Ribbon Foundation, please reach out to us at: 515-262-3111 Ext. 371 or [email protected].