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Wisconsin’s Blue Ribbon Auction raises money for youth, scholarships

 

One highlight of the Wisconsin State Fair is the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Auction.  Auction President Bob Johnson tells Brownfield the event has changed and grown over the years.  “It started back in the 1950’s when they used to sell a few animals outside along the buildings.  In 1976, they moved the auction indoors to the Case IH Coliseum.  It’s been held there ever since.  Since that time, it’s not only grown in the number of participants, but it’s grown in the number of spectators and the number of buyers that we have here each and every year.”

One of the auction participants was Bob’s niece Sara Johnson, who sold her grand champion market lamb.  Her advice for anyone showing animals is simple. “Never give up and never get discouraged if you don’t win your first time.  It’s all the opinion of one judge on that day and it’s any other person’s opinion on any other day.  You never know.”  The many months of raising the animal and preparing for the show are over quickly.  Johnson says, “It’s a lot of work and then you know it all comes down to one moment in the ring and then it’s done.  Twenty minutes and it’s over.”

The Governor’s Blue Ribbon Auction brings high bids from many businesses and fair supporters.  It supports scholarships for fair participants in addition to raising money for the animal owners.  This year’s event raised a total of $316,800 dollars.  The top bid was $47,500 for the Grand Champion crossbred steer.

Bob Johnson on the history of the Blue Ribbon Auction

Sara Johnson discusses her lamb project

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