Timothy Lile of Waynesville, Ohio and Dennis C. Eberhart of Kent, Ohio won the 1997 Ohio State Fair Bid Calling Contest at the State Fair today. They competed against 32 auctioneers in the categories of salesmanship, speaking, and bid calling.

Eberhart won the Level II contest for auctioneers with eight or more years experience. He is a licensed auctioneer with Yankee Trader Auction and Realty Co. Lile, also a licensed auctioneer, won the Level I contest for auctioneers with one to seven years experience.

Donna Owens, director of the Ohio Department of Commerce, and Ronald J. Rotaru, Superintendent of the Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing, presented a certificate to the contest winners. The Department of Commerce licenses auctioneers in Ohio.

"Today's contest showcased the talent and skill of Ohio's auctioneers," Director Owens said. "Ohio is fortunate to have more than 3,200 trained and experienced auctioneers who conduct business in such an entertaining and fascinating manner."

The contest was sponsored by the State Fair, the Ohio Auctioneers’ Association and the State Auctioneers’ Commission. During the first round, each contestant sold an item that they brought to the auction. Afterwards, five finalists for each level auctioned one additional item.

Net proceeds from the sale of auctioned items totaling $3000 were donated to the Special Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.

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