Bids were called and money was raised for youth Thursday at the 66th Governor’s Ham Breakfast held in the Director’s Tent on the Missouri State Fairgrounds. Missouri Governor Mike Parson addressed the guests, which numbered more than 1,000.

Several other distinguished guests attended the Breakfast, including Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn, State Fair Director Mark Wolfe, State Fair Commissioners, State Fair Foundation members, state and local elected officials and numerous other agriculture leaders and Fair supporters. Former Senator Jim Mathewson emceed the event and Dick Hutchison auctioneered.

Hutchison led the time-honored auction of the champion hams and bacon and commemorative belt buckle.

The auction began with the Grand Champion Ham, exhibited by Sarah McCord of California, Mo., The ham was purchased by Starline Brass for a record price of $16,000 and was donated to Missouri 4-H.

The Reserve Grand Champion Ham, exhibited by Deb Cary of California, Mo., was purchased by Starline Brass and donated to Missouri FFA. The $10,000 purchase price also set a record.

The Grand Champion Bacon, exhibited by Country Meat Shop of Moberly, Mo, brought a record price of $9,000 from buyer Starline Brass.  Starline Brass donated the bacon to the local Boy Scout Troop that assists with the Cowboy Mounted Shooting event each year at the State Fair.

The commemorative belt buckle was purchased for $2,800 by Kansas City Power and Light.

The total amount raised from the auction equaled $37,800. The funds raised from the auction and breakfast will the support Missouri State Foundation for projects, including youth in agriculture scholarships and fairgrounds improvements.

There is still more to come for the 2018 Missouri State Fair’s final weekend including two Pepsi Grandstand concerts and a night of auto racing. The weekend’s first concert features Aaron Watson with Tim Montana performing on Friday, Aug. 17 and Cole Swindell with RaeLynn on Saturday, Aug. 18. The 2018 ASCS National Sprint Car and ULMA Late Model Races will close out the Fair starting with hot laps at 6 p.m. and heat races at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 19.

The 116th annual Missouri State Fair, themed “Come Home” is currently underway through Aug. 19 in Sedalia. For more information about this year’s fair, visit www.mostatefair.com, follow the Missouri State Fair Facebook , Twitter and Instagram, or call 1-800-422-FAIR (3247).

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