News

Ohio State Fair Sale of Champions shatters records

The 2022 Ohio State Fair is a wrap, and its Sale of Champions was one for the record books.

Virgil Strickler, Ohio State Fair General Manager, says the funds help the Youth Reserve Program.  “It’s just great,” he says.  “We are very thankful for all of our buyers and our supporters.  It’s so outstanding, I am not sure what else to say, I’m just so thankful for everyone.”

This was the first time in the history of the fair that every champion at the Sale of Champions was a record-breaker.  The entire sale totaled $676,500 with $588,000 allocated for the youth program.

He tells Brownfield the youth participants and the county fairs help strengthen the Ohio State Fair.  “Without them backing it, we wouldn’t be what we are today,” he says.  “And that’s made us great.”

Since its beginning, the Youth Reserve Program has awarded more than $4.1 million in scholarships to approximately 44,000 youth.

The 2023 Ohio State Fair is scheduled for July 26 to August 6.

AUDIO: Virgil Strickler, Ohio State Fair general manager

The 2022 Sale of Champions results are as follows:  
*Grand Champion Market Beef 
Exhibited by: Ryleigh Egbert, Auglaize County
Purchased by: S&S Volvo
Price: $225,000
*Reserve Grand Champion Market Beef 
Exhibited by: Delaney Jones, Allen County
Purchased by: Steve R. Rauch, Inc., Ohio Transparent Telecom, along with Mark and Megan Kvamme and family
Price: $100,000
*Grand Champion Market Barrow 
Exhibited by: Nick Adams, Mercer County
Purchased by: Bob Evans, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, and The Kroger Company
Price: $66,000
*Reserve Grand Champion Market Barrow 
Exhibited by: Mallory Petro, Gallia County
Purchased by: Mark and Megan Kvamme and family
Price: $52,500
*Grand Champion Meat Chickens
Exhibited by: Delaney Johnson, Jefferson County
Purchased by: Kroger and Gerber Poultry
Price: $31,000
*Reserve Champion Meat Chickens
Exhibited by: Caleb Bennett, Fayette County
Purchased by: Steve R. Rauch, Inc.
Price: $24,000
*Grand Champion Market Lamb 
Exhibited by: Elizabeth Shatto, Shelby County
Purchased by: The Kroger Company, Event Marketing Strategies, Tim and Glenda Huffman of Huffman’s Market, Ohio Harness Horseman’s Association, and Talley Amusements.
Price: $47,000
*Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb 
Exhibited by: Caleb Stone, Miami County
Purchased by: Meijer Inc.
Price: $30,000
*Grand Champion Market Goat 
Exhibited by: Braxton Method, Auglaize County
Purchased by: Mark and Megan Kvamme and Family
Price: $26,000*
*Grand Champion Market Turkey
Exhibited by: Madison Estep, Madison County
Purchased by: OKI Inc., Cox Concessions, Schmidt’s, NetSteady, SP+, and Expo Services
Price: $25,000
*Grand Champion Swiss Cheese, produced by Guggisberg Cheese Factory, representing the seven dairy champions and two supreme dairy showmen