Fair Foundation Sells Engraved Bricks for Veterans Walkway
Donors can personalize bricks on a new Iowa Veterans Memorial Walkway at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Philanthropy
Live Poll
Would you donate to a local veterans memorial walkway at a public fairground?
The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation is offering engraved bricks for $100 each to fund the Iowa Veterans Memorial Walkway on Expo Hill. The walkway, established in August 2026, honors Iowans who have served in wars and conflicts.
Why it matters
The walkway gives Iowans a permanent place on the fairgrounds to recognize military service. Donations also support the memorial and the preservation of the historic fairgrounds in Des Moines.
Each engraved brick costs a $100 donation and can carry up to three lines of text, with a maximum of 14 characters per line including spaces. The source does not report how many bricks have been ordered or how much the campaign has raised.
The players
Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation
The foundation is the nonprofit organization that runs the brick program and supports the preservation of the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
The details
Engraved bricks line a sidewalk across from First Church on Expo Hill, and the walkway includes historical markers for wars and conflicts involving Iowa service members. The site is enhanced with lighting, military flags and personalized bricks.
Timeline
August 2026: Iowa Veterans Memorial Walkway established on Expo Hill.
March 31, 2027: Deadline for brick orders to be installed before the fair.
Aug. 12-22, 2027: 2027 Iowa State Fair scheduled.
Philanthropy Context
The Blue Ribbon Foundation uses donor-funded engraved bricks to raise money for the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds. The veterans walkway applies the same donation model to a memorial focused on military service.
Residents who want to honor a veteran can order a $100 engraved brick through BlueRibbonFoundation.org before the March 31, 2027 deadline. Orders placed after that date may not be installed in time for the 2027 fair.
The takeaway
Donors who want a brick installed before the 2027 Iowa State Fair should place their orders by March 31, 2027. Each brick's message is limited to three lines of 14 characters, so plan wording in advance.
What happens next
Brick orders placed by March 31, 2027, will be installed before the 2027 Iowa State Fair, which runs Aug. 12-22, 2027.
Further reading
Explore more Philanthropy coverage to see how local donors are funding community landmarks in Des Moines.
More information
Order a personalized brick through the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation website.
Live Poll
Would you donate to a local veterans memorial walkway at a public fairground?
