Boots and Bling is the signature FUNdraising event for the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation. As such, the Live Auction portion of the evening is where the magic of Boots and Bling meets the Mission: To further the renovation, construction, preservation and beautification of the Kansas State Fairgrounds.
Live Auction ACTION
This year, the Live Auction experience is better than ever because our new setup allows you to place reserve bids ahead of time! This is a Boots and Bling first—a never-before-seen opportunity to take the lead on the Auction Lots you simply can’t miss!
The Boots and Bling Live Auction is part show, part showdown. It’s all about raising proceeds so that, together, we can raise spirits, buildings, and the next generation of passionately proud Kansas State Fair lovers.
This year’s Dallas theme, All Hat No Cadillac, brings high-class attitude and drama to the stage. Nothing captures that energy better than our professional Live Auction crew.
At the head of the crew we have the dynamic duo of Heath Bergkamp and John McCurry, the auctioneer and announcer respectively. Then, out on the floor we have the “Boots” on the ground; a star-studded team with Mike Beam, Kansas Secretary of Agriculture and Byran Schultz, the Kansas State Fair General Manager. Working alongside them, we have Brandon Fredrick, Kent Jaecke, Luke Sankey, Jackson Wingert, Alex Acheson, Dakota Ferguson, Colby Baker, and Chisholm Kinder.
Each member of the Live Auction team brings professional experience and top-notch skills to the floor. Together, they create a one-of-a-kind experience that sets Boots and Bling apart from anything you’ve ever witnessed.
This Year’s Highlights: Live Auction Lots
Of course, there would be no Live Auction without incredible auction items!
You can use this link to find a list of all our incredible Live Auction items once everything is ready, Monday August 4.
The Foundation team is excited about each of these incredible offers, but we would love to highlight some of our favorites!
Lot 3: Nashville Christmas
Kick off the holiday season right! Get away this year and see two iconic shows in Music City itself— Nashville, TN!
Four guests will be swept away to Nashville to see Little Big Town: The Christmas Shows on Thursday, December 4, 2025 at the legendary Ryman Auditorium.
Nestled in the hallowed hall of the Ryman, The Christmas Shows hosted by Little Big Town will be an experience steeped in a blend of holiday tradition and country music history. You’ll feel the wonder of the season when you get to see Little Big Town perform their spectacular harmonies up close and personal from your premium seats.
After the country music Christmas magic, you will rest in the fully renovated Sheraton Grand Nashville Downtown Hotel, in one of two Capital View Deluxe King Rooms which will become your home base in Nashville until you checkout on December 7. These rooms have been elegantly redesigned with luxury bedding that dreams are made of. You’ll feel like you’re the country music star in these high-class rooms with a view!
The holiday spirit doesn’t stop there! After a fun day exploring the world-class dining and legendary honky tonks of Nashville, there will be four premium seats waiting at the Grand Ole Opry on Friday, Dec 5, 2025.
The entire Opryland complex embraces the holidays with dazzling light displays and transforms into a winter wonderland. You will step into a venue steeped in country music history, amplified by the festive decorations. Families and friends gather in their holiday best, ready to witness a unique blend of timeless traditions and seasonal cheer.
The show features a mix of legendary performers and rising stars. You can expect to hear classic country hits interspersed with beloved holiday tunes. The cornerstone of the Opry sound, the live band, adds an extra layer of brilliance to every performance, ensuring a rich and authentic musical experience.
It’s an experience that truly embodies the spirit of the holidays, blending the enduring legacy of country music with the warmth and joy of the festive season.
Then, you’ll have one more day to soak in the festive spirit of Nashville and experience everything the city has to offer before leaving with new holiday memories that will last a lifetime.
You may be thinking, “Life is Good” with all that Nashville country music Christmas spirit, but wait until you hear more about the “Life is Good — Beef & Bourbon Package” next!
Lot 5: “Life is Good” — Beef & Bourbon Package
The package starts with quality: U.S. Premium Beef. Four prime filets, KC Strips, and Boneless Ribeyes topped off with the crème de la crème: 5.5lb Frenched Bone-In Prime Rib Roast.
As if that wasn’t enough (we know your mouth is already watering!), this package has the perfect pairings: Seven bottles of coveted Kentucky bourbons. The star of the show? The elusive Van Winkle Special Reserve. This 12 year old Lot “B” Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey is a collector’s gem! Not available without world-class connections, you do not want to miss out on this.
Of course we can’t stop there! In addition to the Van Winkle Special, you’ll also take home
- a 10 year old Eagle Rare
- the first and only Straight Kentucky Bourbon: Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch
- Blanton’s — The original Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey
- Barrel No. 3009 (your lucky number, right?) Warehouse H, Rick #15
- Weller Antique 107 — Red Label
- Weller Special Reserve — Green Label
- Buffalo Trace — Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply treating yourself and friends, this exclusive package is designed to make every gathering unforgettable. Everything you take home with this package is more than part of a meal, it’s an experience—one you won’t soon forget!
Lot 9: KSF Boots and Bling Quilt
Next on the list is an item that stitches together legacy and tradition with philanthropy and the competitive spirit. The Boots and Bling Quilt is a handcrafted work of art. Made from 30 distinct boot blocks, each one capturing a unique look and attitude. The blocks that make up this impressive quilt were made especially for the Boots and Bling Quilt Block Contest at the 2024 Kansas State Fair, where the best blocks were chosen to be a part of history and made into this one-of-a-kind quilt that not only celebrates Boots and Bling, but also the spirit of the Kansas State Fair Competitions.
The warmth of this quilt extends beyond its purpose, with rustic details and rich earth tones. It was brought to life by the team at Sew In 2 Quilts, a local Hutchinson, KS small business lead by Karna Lackey.
This heirloom quality quilt is already a part of the Kansas State Fair and Boots and Bling legacy, and it’s ready to become a part of your legacy, too.
Bid Early, See You Soon!
This is only a small preview of everything we have in stock for you at the Boots and Bling Live Auction. We can’t wait to share it all and hope we will see you there! Remember, you are able to bid in the Live Auction from anywhere, and anytime before the auction (which is new this year). You’ll want to check in on August 9, at 7:15 P.M. central time to place your final bids to be sure and win!
Boots and Bling isn’t just about what you take home, whether it’s Live Auction lots or fond memories. It’s about the good you do for Kansas, our community, and the legacy we’re building together on the Kansas State Fairgrounds. So, don your best hat, polish those boots, and join us for an evening where every dollar raised helps raise spirits, buildings, and the next generation of passionately proud Kansas State Fair lovers.
This is your invitation to the Boots and Bling 2025 – All Hat No Cadillac Live Auction—no Cadillac required!
About the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation
The Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation (KFF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Founded in 2003, KFF’s mission is to further the renovation, construction, preservation and beautification of the Kansas State Fairgrounds with a vision of inspiring excellence and understanding of Kansas agriculture, industry and culture through the Kansas State Fair, activities, educational programs and opportunities. The Foundation exists to enrich the unforgettable memories and traditions people experience only at the Kansas State Fair and at the 500+ events on the Fairgrounds year-round.
