The name of the event is a mouthful and those who attend will be downing mouthfuls of corndogs, funnel cakes and other “fair food.” Tonight’s the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation’s annual “Corn Dog Kickoff Benefit Auction and Fair Food Grazing Party!” Foundation spokeswoman Kristin Guiter says all money raised goes toward the renovation and preservation of the historic fairgrounds. Guiter says this year, the foundation paid for a new roof on the livestock pavilion and the completion of a beautification project south of the grandstand and funds are being raised now for the new Iowa State Fair Museum. Last year, this event raised 175-thousand dollars and the goal is to exceed that haul. Guiter says the “Fair Food Grazing Party” will feature much more than popcorn, as there’s lots of entertainment too. The event begins at 6:30 P.M. in the Varied Industries Building on the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. The entertainment includes: square dancers, fiddlers, a smorgasbord of fair food and beverages, fireworks, and live and silent auctions. Tickets are 40-dollars each and can be purchased at the door or by calling the Blue Ribbon Foundation at 800 450-3732.
