August 2023 Volunteer Spotlight: Heath Bergkamp
The Live Auction at Boots and Bling is a can't miss part of the night, especially thanks to all the hard work done by Heath Bergkamp, the Boots and Bling auctioneer. For the last 3 years Bergkamp has been volunteering as a part of the dynamic duo made up of him and...
Shank’s Take: State Fair Memories
Attending my first Kansas State Fair in 1957 seemed like the ultimate experience to this farm boy from New Cambria in Saline County. It was not as easy in those days to make the 60-mile trip from New Cambria to Hutchinson because Interstates 70 and 35 did not exist...
July 2023 Volunteer Spotlight: Jim Stukey
It's impossible to talk Boots and Bling without mentioning the stellar Jim Stukey as this month's volunteer spotlight. Jim has been responsible for painting the backdrops that bring Boots and Bling to life every year since 2014. Left to right, Kate Evans, Jim Stukey...
Shank’s Take: The Wall of Honor – Recognizing Leadership in Livestock and Agriculture
The Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation, established in 2003, moved swiftly to create an annual award designed to recognize Kansans for extraordinary leadership in the livestock industry, and who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to support the Kansas State...
Boots and Bling 2023 – Champagne Life – let’s toast it up! is set for August 12
The Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation has set a date for BOOTS and BLING 2023 – Champagne Life – let’s toast it up! for Saturday, August 12 to be held at the Meadowlark Building on the Kansas State Fairgrounds. Boots and Bling is the signature event of the Kansas...
Shank’s Take: A President Visits the Kansas State Fair
The eyes of the nation and world were on Hutchinson June 23, 1923, as the Salt City and Kansas State Fair made final preparations to welcome President Warren G. Harding to Reno County. Arriving in Hutchinson by train promptly at 10 a.m., the presidential...
June 2023 Volunteer Spotlight: Scott and Leanna Love
Long-time fair supporters Scott and Leanna Love have supported the Kansas State Fair (KSF) by volunteering with the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation (KFF) practically since the Foundation was incorporated in 2003. They have volunteered in the Foundation’s official...
Shank’s Take: Preparations for Boots and Bling Underway
In 2003, a small group of civic activists and Kansas State Fair boosters met to form a foundation to do something extra to preserve, enhance and improve the Kansas State Fairgrounds. This new organization would be known as the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation. Two...
May 2023 Volunteer Spotlight: Monica Bergmeier
As a self-proclaimed people-person and avid volunteer for many different organizations through the years, Monica Bergmeier was the easy choice for this month's volunteer spotlight! She has been involved with the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation (KFF), helping with Boots...
Shank’s Take: Progress and Improvement Growing at the Kansas State Fairgrounds
Visitors to the Kansas State Fair (KSF) need not drive far to witness improvements in progress. Routine maintenance and enhancements to structures old and new are constant at the Kansas State Fairgrounds, particularly for buildings that are 100 or more years of...