The Kalona Chamber of Commerce is looking for volunteers to help staff its booth during their 40th annual trip to the Iowa State Fair.

Every year, the chamber runs a booth at the state fair to promote the city. Kalona Chamber Executive Director Tonia Poole describes the impact that the booth has had, “It really reminds people that we’re here. On the one hand, a lot of people that we meet have been to Kalona before and they’re like, ‘Oh yeah we were there like 20 years ago or 10 years ago,’ and it reminds them that we’re still here and have great businesses, but a lot of people at the fairgrounds are from all over the U.S., and they’re people that are in Iowa looking to travel, to visit and experience places.”

The chamber began attending the fair in 1985 when the state fair requested that it attend the fair to showcase the city. The booth sells local goods like wood crafts and Kalona bars. Those interested in volunteering can contact Poole via email at director@kalonachamber.com.

To hear more from Poole, tune in to today’s In Touch With Southeast Iowa Program.