Ohio auctioneers will test their bid calling skills at the 1997 Ohio State Fair Bid Calling Contest on Monday, August 11 at 9:30 a.m. at the Ohio Pavilion near the 11th Avenue entrance of the Fairgrounds. The contest is expected to last two to three hours.

Donna Owens, director of the Ohio Department of Commerce, and Ronald J. Rotaru, Superintendent of the Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing, will present a certificate to the winners of the 1997 contest. The Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing licenses more than 3,200 auctioneers in Ohio.

The contest, which is being sponsored by the State Fair, the Ohio Auctioneers’ Association and the State Auctioneers’ Commission, will test the skills of at least 65 participants in the categories of salesmanship, speaking, and bid calling. The contest will consist of two categories: Level I for auctioneers with one to seven years experience and Level II for auctioneers with eight or more years experience.

During the first round, each contestant will sell an item that they bring to the auction. Afterwards, five finalists for each level will auction one additional item.

Net proceeds from the sale of auctioned items will be donated to the Special Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. Last year's contest raised approximately $2,500 for the Foundation.

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