It?s a tradition almost as old as I am, and it has been bringing attention to the Iowa State Fair and the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa for four decades. This past Saturday they celebrated the 40th iteration of the Iowa Governor?s Charity Steer Show (IGCSS). The event was started way back in 1983, by then Governor Terry Branstad.
The show is put together through the cooperation of the Iowa Governor?s Office, the Iowa Cattlemen?s Association, and the Iowa Beef Industry Council. This year there were twenty-five steers shown by the kids and their celebrity show people. The show hands out four awards during the program, and these were this year?s winners:
- Grand Champion: Blue
- Celebrity: John Lawrence of ISU Extension & Outreach
- Exhibitor: Brady Werner
- People?s Choice: Maverick
- Celebrity: Clarissa Chun, Head Coach, University of Iowa Women?s Wrestling
- Exhibitor: Tate Nelson
- Showmanship Award: Maverick
- Celebrity: Gary Slater, Iowa State Fair CEO
- Exhibitor: Paige Evans
- Community Hero Award: Tradition
- Celebrity: Jamie Henderson, Eastern Iowa Ronald McDonald House Board Chair
- Exhibitor: Tucker Klima
Right after the show ended, Governor Kim Reynolds visited with the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network about the show. She couldn?t have been more excited for the way the 40th show went, even if she didn?t win the top prize this year.
The Governor credited the great partnership for the longevity and the quality of the show. It is a show that is followed around many parts of the globe.
Right after our interview, the Governor was heading to the Penningroth Sale Arena for the sale of the steers. She was really proud of the kids that have put so much work into prepping these steers, and she talked about the bittersweet moments when they have to let go of their animals.
This year?s show broke the all-time earnings record set just last year of $375,000. This year’s event raised $436,000 to help the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa, with locations in Des Moines, Iowa City, and Sioux City.
