Visit with thousands of fairgoers who come through the exhibit
Monday, July 7, 2014
Written by: Office of Strategic Communication

University faculty, staff, and alumni: We’d love to have your help at the UI’s exhibit at the Iowa State Fair, Aug. 7-17, in Des Moines.

Volunteers are needed to apply temporary tattoos, distribute football posters, athletic schedules, and other items and most importantly, to visit with the thousands of fairgoers who come through the exhibit.

The UI booth is located in the air-conditioned Varied Industries Building at the fairgrounds. Shifts are four hours each: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 1-5 p.m., and 5-9 p.m. Fair admission, parking passes, and a Hawkeye T-shirt will be provided.

Volunteers are especially needed for these dates and shifts:

  • Thursday, Aug. 7, 1-5 p.m.
  • Sunday, Aug. 10, all shifts
  • Wednesday, Aug. 13, 1-5 p.m.
  • Thursday, Aug. 14, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 1-5 p.m.
  • Sunday, Aug. 17, all shifts

You can see a complete list of shifts on our State Fair website under the “Volunteer Schedule” link. To sign up for a shift, please send your preference, along with your T-shirt size, and a mailing address to Steve Parrott ( steven-parrott@uiowa.edu) and Debb Thumma ( deborah-thumma@uiowa.edu), who are coordinating the exhibit for the UI Office of Strategic Communication. For more information, click on the Information for Volunteers link.

Volunteers are welcome and encouraged to sign up for shifts outside of their normal work hours. However, if you are interested in volunteering to work at the State Fair at a time that would require time off from your regular work schedule, please talk with your supervisor before volunteering for a shift. You may be asked to request vacation for the time away if you can be relieved of your regular responsibilities. For departments that are specifically represented at the fair, your work at the fair could also become your work assignment.

The UI annually coordinates a booth at the Iowa State Fair. Hawkeye fans, prospective students, their parents, and the general public are invited to stop by the booth for football posters and schedule cards, Tiger Hawk tattoos as well as to get information on the UI and its programs.