State Fair holds preview

For those who just can’t wait, tonight is a sneak preview of the Iowa State Fair. The Blue Ribbon Foundation holds its fifth annual fundraiser for the renovation of the fairgrounds, and preservation projects.The “Corn Dog Kickoff” is at 6:30 in the Agriculture building, with an early start at the fair food, fireworks and Sky Glider rides. It’s nothing to sneeze at — the one-evening sneak preview of the fair has raised 445-thousand dollars in its first four years, according to the fair’s Estee Walter. She says it’s a chance to get a jump on other events when the fair gets underway..The Blue Ribbon Foundation plans and carries out restoration as well as renovation, and Walter says this year’s work will be celebrated with a ribbon-cutting at the Varied Industries building.It’s going to be air conditioned now, and future plans include infrastructure like repairing the Livestock Pavilion roof, renovating the museum, water, sewer and electrical. In all, the Foundation has raised 48-million dollars over the years for renovation of the 400-acre state fairgrounds.