Welcome to Boots and Bling!
Boots and Bling is the Signature FUNdraising Event for the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation. Established in 2003, the Foundation’s mission is the Renovation, Construction, Preservation and Beautification of the Kansas State Fairgrounds.
About Boots and Bling
Hosting nearly 700 people each year, Boots and Bling is one of the largest fundraising events in the State of Kansas. The evening includes an extensive silent auction, incredible food, an open bar, a rivoting live auction with items you can’t find anywhere else — all topped off with an immersive theme and live entertainment you’ll be talking about until next year.
Boots and Bling Themes
Every year the immersive theme at Boots and Bling transports attendees somewhere fantastic. Jaw-dropping floral arrangements, stunning lighting, and numerous hand-painted, floor-to-ceiling murals bring the night to life.
The decorating team arrives days in advance to set up and create the floral arrangements by hand. Walking in to the scent of fresh florals is the cherry on top!
Click here to see the themes from the most recent years!
Live Entertainment at Boots and Bling
A staple of Boots and Bling is a band that you can’t resist dancing to. All Hat No Cadillac, the band from Boots and Bling 2025, was so good an attendee offered to pay for an encore, the Foundation booked a Valentine’s Day event (which PACKED 1861 Club!) and booked them for the opening weekend of the 2026 Kansas State Fair at 1861 Club.
Boots and Bling Dining
What more can we say about an open bar with thematic specialty drinks paired with a top-of-the line menu with something for everyone? The Boots and Bling menu always features freshly cut prime rib, hors d’oeuvres to die for and plenty more.
Oh, and go ahead and plan to get seconds from the dessert table now.
Boots and Bling Silent Auction
The easiest and most fun way to get involved at Boots and Bling is with our curated Silent Auction! Featuring hundreds of items each year, something is sure to catch your eye. The best part is you can bid from anywhere. You don’t have to be present to place the winning bid on your items!
We are always on the lookout for unique silent auction items. Donating items is an easy way to get involved and give back to Kansas and the Fairgrounds.
Live Auction at Boots and Bling
The Live Auction is one of the most anticipated, and the most lively, events of the evening! Exclusive vacation options, rare bottles of bourbon and all-inclusive dining opportunities are just a few of the options that make an appearance each year at Boots and Bling. Plus, there’s always some unexpected and unique items each year, such as a John Deere tractor, a premium Hat Bar experience or even a re-upholstered, western-style vintage couch!
All the lots are on display the night of, featured on the two large screens, and available in the high-quality program. Just like the silent auction, the Live Auction is also available virtually. You can peruse the lots and bid from home to win!
Wall of Honor Award
Every year the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation inducts a person, family, or organization into the Wall of Honor. This award is intended to recognize their meaningful and sustained commitment to advancing the mission of the Kansas State Fair.
Inductees receive a table at Boots and Bling, a video detailing their impact and a keepsake award display. In addition, inductees are added to the Foundation’s website and the permanent Wall of Honor display in 1861 Club.
Attending Boots and Bling
Boots and Bling is an incredibly fun night that supports something important to the entire state of Kansas. Beyond that, there are many benefits for our sponsors ranging from recognition at the event, ads in the programs and on our email newsletter, social media shoutouts and a table for up to 10 guests to networking at the event, rewarding employees in a meaningful way, or treating clients to something special.
Check out our sponsorship levels to find which one best suites you and your organization!
Individual Tickets
Individual tickets are available for Boots and Bling! These are a great option for anyone who wants to support the mission of the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation on a more personal level. Individual tickets include access to the entire evening. Purchase tickets for Boots and Bling 2026 online using the link below or call 620-615-7388 or email info@KsFgF.org to pay by cash or check and avoid card processing fees.
Volunteer at Boots and Bling
Boots and Bling has several opportunities for volunteers to get involved the night of the event. From helping guests get registered and checked in at the start of the evening, to helping winners of the silent auction items claim their items at the end of the night.
There’s always time for our volunteers to enjoy themselves a bit, from the meal to the entertainment, all while helping us put on this incredible event!
Sign up to volunteer using this link.
https://ksfairgroundsfoundation.org/volunteer-application-form/
Boots and Bling History
Boots and Bling was started in 2005. The first events were held in the Domestic Arts building and featured an art auction, dinner, and music for around 150 guests. Since then, the event has continued to grow. It was held in the Sunflower South Building, and is now held in the Meadowlark Building in order to host up to 700 guests.
Previous Boots and Bling Themes
- 2025: All Hat No Cadillac
- This theme featured the TV Series Dallas, complete with an actual vintage Cadillac with a legal Sue Ellen license plate. Portraits of the main charactors adorned the space, which was designed to feel like the interior of the Ewing mansion, chandeliers and all.
- 2024: Summer Breeze
- Yacht rock was the name of the game this year! Drinks were even served out of a yacht set up as a bar. A tiki cabana served as a mini-bar and flamingos, tropical plants, and boats on the ocean abounded. Captain’s hats were provided on the table, which many guests took advantage of. Did we mention the centerpieces with fish tanks… with live fish?!
- 2023: Champage Life
- Imagine going to the swankiest, classiest wedding — without 2 hours of speeches. Think beautiful wedding cake, a champagne wall AND a bottle of champagne on every table… topped off with the most beautiful glitz and glamour. Every inch sparkled and everyone felt bubbly!
- 2022: The Rock Show
- The 60s, 70s and 80s made a comeback in 2022! This was the year the flower child met rock and roll! One of the main floral arrangements were giant peace signs covered in daisies. The tables went retro, complete with slinkies, rubiks cubes, radios and plenty of disco balls. It was all about Peace, Love, and Rock and Roll!
What It's All About
The Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation board members, staff and volunteers spend months preparing for Boots and Bling each year. Collecting silent auction donations, securing quality live auction items, planning the decor, booking the entertainment, planning the food, beverages, and desserts, organizing the program, working with sponsors and much more — it takes a dedicated effort.
It’s all worth it when we see it come together in one of the most incredible evenings of the year. Seeing hundreds of people come together and say, “We care about the Kansas State Fairgrounds, we care about its impact on Kansas, we want to help take care of it,” means more to us than we can express. We share those same sentiments and that vision to build experiences that continue enriching memories on the Kansas State Fairgrounds is what keeps driving us forward every day.
So, if you’ve attended Boots and Bling, if you’ve donated, if you’ve volunteered, if you’ve participated in any number of ways — thank you. If you’re considering attending, you won’t regret it. Thank you for believing in the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation and our mission to Renovate, Construct, Preserve and Beautify the Kansas State Fairgrounds.