Corndog Kickoff Benefit Auction 2026

Celebrating an American Classic

Corndog Kickoff Benefit Auction - Saturday, July 11th at 6:30 pm

William C. Knapp Varied Industries Building - Iowa State Fairgrounds

As we prepare to celebrate America's 250th birthday, we are honoring our own American classic, the Iowa State Fair, an event rooted in heartland pride. The Blue Ribbon Foundation is proud to contribute to this legacy by preserving and restoring the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds. Through ongoing renovations and maintenance of our barns and buildings, we ensure this treasured landmark continues to shine. 

We invite you to stand with us in support of Fairgrounds renovations at the Corndog Kickoff on Saturday, July 11. This year marks the 30th anniversary of this beloved event - a true celebration of everything that makes the Iowa State Fair a beloved  tradition.

Your generous support helps fund vital improvements - modernizing restrooms, installing a grounds-wide public address system, repairing roofs and continuing enhancements to the livestock barns. Your participation ensures this American classic remains strong, vibrant, and accessible for families across our state.

Bidding opens at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 11 and will close at 8:30 p.m. CST on Saturday, July 12. Previewing of packages opens on July 10 and will be updated often as items arrive.  Make sure to register in order to bid on any Silent Auction items. 

Live Auction packages are displayed here but you must be present at the Corndog Kickoff to bid. We recommend registering a user account in advance.  To bid in the Live Auction, you must pick up an assigned bid number at the bid registration tables located inside the event entrances.  Your assigned number will be added to your user account.

If you have any questions, see our FAQ page below which has information on the event, package purchase and pick up instructions and much more.  You can also email [email protected] with your question or call 515-262-3111 Ext. 371.

Together, let's celebrate the red, white and blue and a great American fair at this year's 30th annual Corndog Kickoff. Thank you for supporting this fun event and the Blue Ribbon Foundation's mission to renovate and preserve the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds. 

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions:

Silent Auction bidding - 10:00AM on Friday, July 10 to 8:30PM (CST) on Saturday, July 11.

• To bid, you must register as a bidder and provide the required information, including a valid credit card number. Online bidding is only available with the Silent Auction; you must be present to bid in the Live Auction.
• All sales are final and non-refundable. Package contents 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.
• Should an auction package become non-redeemable your bid will be converted into a donation. 
• Restrictions and expiration dates do apply. Every effort has been made to indicate such within the descriptions as accurately as possible; however, the Foundation is not responsible for any restrictions omitted or not indicated by the donor or prizes not claimed within the scope of the restrictions.
•  All bidders of items containing alcohol or gift certificates for alcohol must be 21 or older. These items must be picked up by someone 21 or older.
• The items/certificates may not be redeemed for cash or returned to the business for cash or exchange.

How to pick up your auction purchases.

• Claim packages the night of the auction if present at the event. In the event you cannot remove your purchase, please make arrangements before leaving by speaking with a staff member at the Check-out table. If you are unable to arrange transportation of your purchase because of the package's size, please stop at the Check-out table at the event.
• If not present at the event, pick up your package(s) at one of the times listed below. Items purchased will not be mailed unless the buyer arranges to pay for shipping and handling.  If you have any issues with the published times, please call the Foundation.

Pick-up times - Other than Sunday, all items will be at the Foundation office, north of the Fun Forest at 409  E. 34th Street.

Sunday, July 12  9:00 am to 12:00 pm in the Varied Industries Building - the only doors open are by the drive in entrance on the south side. Questions? 515-262-3111 Ext 373.

Monday, July 13  9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Tuesday, July 14  9:00 am to 6:00 pm

Wednesday, July 15  9:00 am to 6:00 pm

If the auction packages are not picked up by July 31 and other arrangements have not been made, your items will be a donation back to the Foundation. 

Other important auction information.

The Foundation is not liable or responsible for the loss, injury or damage to any person or property arising from the use of an auction item. By participating, 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. Packages may be added or altered until the start of bidding on July 10, 2026.

The Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. While donations 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 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 many generous donors 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].