March 2024 Volunteer Spotlight: Brandon Frederick
It’s calving season, which means that getting ahold of Brandon Frederick for this month’s volunteer spotlight was a bit tricky! He was swamped calving over 200 heifers, but he still made time to answer a few questions for us. We couldn’t be happier to share more about...
Shank’s Take: The Foundation’s Strive for Progress
As winter transitions to spring, the grass is turning green on the grounds of the Kansas State Fair. The fairgrounds is abuzz with activity as a building crew continues work to raise the 1861 Club. Plans are in place to dedicate this new venue, which will coincide...
Enter the 2024 Kansas State Fair T-Shirt Contest!
Do you love the Kansas State Fair? Do you have creative ideas or do you know someone with creative ideas? Do you like cool T-shirts? Then YOU are exactly who we are looking for! Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation is excited to sponsor our inaugural T-shirt contest for...
February 2024 Volunteer Spotlight: YOU! – The Future Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation Volunteer
At the heart of nearly every nonprofit is a dedicated and valued group of volunteers who make all the essential work possible. The Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation (KFF) is no different! This month, for the volunteer spotlight, we wanted to feature YOU, our future...
Introducing the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation Impact Award
Margaret Mead said, “Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.” Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only...
Shank’s Take: The New Impact Award and the Power of “Thanks”
No long-term event is successful without the support of dedicated volunteers who serve with no expectations of monetary gain, letters of commendation or plaques of recognition. Perhaps, no finer example of volunteerism exists than those who have stepped forward for...
1861 Club Booking Calendar is Now Open
The booking calendar for the 1861 Club opened on Feb. 1 for Fall 2024 (October – December) and 2025 events. The 1861 Club is the new event venue currently being built by the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation on the Kansas State Fairgrounds. This beautiful nearly 15,000...
1861 Club Manager Hired: Welcome, Tami Rife!
The Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation is excited to announce that Tami Rife has joined the Foundation team as the manager for the 1861 Club. Tami brings years of sales management experience to her new role as manager of the 1861 Club. Tami was often recognized for her...
January Volunteer Spotlight: 2023 Recap
The Volunteer Spotlight section has become a much anticipated part of the First Friday E-Update during its cardinal year in 2023. It started in February 2023 and has featured a different volunteer each month throughout the year. We want to share a recap of all of the...
Shank’s Take: Harland Priddle, A Kansas Icon Spent Time in Service to the Kansas State Fair
Harland Priddle, a Kansas original, icon and legend in his own time, whose multiple careers included time spent with the Kansas State Fair, passed away December 12. Photo credit: Lt. Governor David Toland on X (formerly Twitter). In 2020, Harland, who grew up on...