Iowa State Fair Signage: Here's to Changes, Big and Small

Quick History

Did you know that the Iowa State Fair is the single largest event in the state of Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country? Did you also know that it was ranked #1 for State Fairs in America in 2019?

With great power comes great responsibility. Facilities need updates, new buildings are built, and so on. This year is no different, with added anticipation due to the cancellation in 2020 due to COVID.

A Big Move Requires Big Signage

In 2015 the Reichardt Family contributed to helping preserve the giant slide and it was also renamed. The Reichardt Family Giant Slide found a new home for the 2021 State Fair. The new location allows for more room for both ride-goers and onlookers.

The new sign is big, bold, double-sided, and proudly honors the Reichardt Family. An in-house design in collaboration with the Blue Ribbon Foundation, this sign measures nearly 30’ wide, 5’4” tall, and 2’ deep. The aluminum cabinet sign was fabricated in two sections for easier (and more cost-efficient) installation due to the install location being 50’ in the air. Digitally printed graphics on aluminum for the back-side and the same graphics CNC-cut and illuminated on the slide-facing side. There will be no mistaking the location for any fairgoers of this historic slide.

It took 7 of our installers, 2 lifts, 1 crane, and 7 hours to install this sign. Here's a video that shows our team and what it took.

Small Sign Updates with Big Impact

It’s the small signage updates that are really important. The yearly updates to multiple donor walls around the State Fairgrounds are really what helps the fair keep its grounds and facilities maintained and growing. The Blue Ribbon Foundation has many giving opportunities available at any donation level.

Here are a few of our favorites. The Spirit of Generosity wall was installed in 2020 and hasn’t had much exposure...yet. Located in the recently renovated Bruce L. Rastetter 4H Building, this wall was meant to celebrate the Iowa spirit of growth and generosity. As a dynamic donor wall, it has the ability to grow yearly with new donor names. It’s really a beautiful wall inspired by stained glass artwork. Learn more here. If you’d like to get your name on this wall, check it out here.

The Growing Our Future donor wall isn’t new. It was installed in 2015 and is an artful design that really embodies the agriculture and growth of all things Iowa. This dynamic donor wall (names added yearly) is located in the Ruan Plaza and is an exterior installation with design and colors that really pop. If you’d like to get your name on this visit here.

Like What You See?

There are so many ways to be part of the Iowa State Fair, we’re fortunate to be a partner on many significant signage projects. If you’d like to attend the fair in 2021 it runs from August 12th-22nd. See if you can spot any of the signs mentioned above.

Have questions or ideas on signage, talk to one of our experts today.