Many Missouri youth will benefit from the proceeds raised at the 63rd Annual Governor’s Ham Breakfast held Thursday, Aug. 20, in the Director’s Tent on the Missouri State Fairgrounds. Missouri Governor Jay Nixon addressed the guests, which numbered nearly 1,000.
Several other distinguished guests attended the Ham Breakfast, including Missouri Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce, State Fair Director Mark Wolfe, State Fair Foundation Chairman Bill Jackson, State Fair Commissioners, state and local elected officials and numerous other agriculture leaders and Fair supporters. Former Senator Jim Mathewson emceed the event and Dick Hutchinson auctioneered.
Hutchinson led the time-honored auction of the champion hams and bacon, and commemorative belt buckle, raising a total of $21,400. Proceeds from the auction and breakfast will support Missouri State Fair projects, including youth scholarships and Fairground improvements.
The auction began with the Grand Champion Ham, exhibited by Wyatt Stafford of Versailles. The ham was purchased by Ditzfeld Container and Trash Service and Murphy Brothers Exposition for $6,500 and was donated to Missouri 4-H.
The Reserve Grand Champion Ham, exhibited by Russellville Locker of Russellville, went to Kansas City Power and Light for $6,000, and was donated to Harvesters – The Community Food Network.
The Grand Champion Bacon, exhibited by Country Meat Shop of Moberly, sold for $5,000, and was donated to Missouri FFA.
The commemorative belt buckle was purchased for $1,700 from Central Bank of Sedalia and Jim and Doris Mathewson.
A pedal tractor was auctioned for the first time with funds allotted for an Agriculture Education Endowment. It was purchased by the Missouri Soybean Association for $2,200.
A variety of events are still scheduled for the final weekend of the Missouri State Fair, including two Pepsi Grandstand Concerts: Alabama with opener Michael Ray tonight starting at 7:30 p.m. and The Fray with opener Andy Grammer on Saturday, Aug. 22. The Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car National Tour Series will close out the Fair starting at 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, in the Pepsi Grandstand.
The 2015 Missouri State Fair, themed “Show Offs Welcome,” is currently underway through Aug. 23 in Sedalia. For more information about competitions and other events, visit www.mostatefair.com, follow the Fair on Facebook and Twitter, or call 1-800-422-FAIR (3247).
