The Governor's Charity Steer Show will celebrate its 27th anniversary at the Iowa State Fair in 2009. This year's theme of the state fair is "State Fair Time" and the show ring competition takes place Saturday, August 15th, at 4 p.m., in the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion at the state fairgrounds in Des Moines. Immediately following the competition, the steers will be sold at an auction, with proceeds going to the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa. Both the show ring event and the auction are open to the general public.

Money raised is donated to help sick children

The first Governor's Charity Steer Show was held during the 1983 Iowa State Fair. Since its inception, this event has raised more than $1.5 million. Nearly all of the show proceeds are donated to the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa, which provide a "home away from home" for families of seriously ill and hospitalized children. There are three independent Ronald McDonald Houses in Iowa, located in Des Moines, Iowa City and Sioux City. This annual event is sponsored by the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen's Association. Iowa Gov. Chet Culver will be hosting this year's event. Any individual or business interested in participating in this year's event should contact Brian Waddingham at the Iowa Beef Industry Council, 515-296-2305, as soon as possible. Producer-directed and consumer-focused, the Iowa Beef Industry Council is funded by the $1-per-head beef checkoff. Checkoff dollars are invested in beef promotion, consumer information, research, industry information and foreign market development, all with the purpose of strengthening beef demand.  For more information, visit www.iabeef.org.