Jason L. Miller of Freeport and Anthony M. Bayman of Piqua won the 1999 Ohio State Fair Bid Calling Contest on Monday. Mr. Miller won the Level I contest for auctioneers with one to seven years experience and Mr. Bayman won the Level II contest for auctioneers with eight or more years experience.

Gary C. Suhadolnik, Director of the Ohio Department of Commerce, and Lynne Hengle, Superintendent of the Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing, presented an award certificate to the two winners. The Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing licenses more than 2,800 auctioneers in Ohio.

The contest, which was sponsored by the State Fair, the Ohio Auctioneers’ Association and the State Auctioneers’ Commission, tested the contestants' skills in the categories of salesmanship, speaking, and bid calling.

During the first round, each of the 41 contestants sold an item that they brought to the auction. Afterwards, five finalists for each level auctioned one additional item.

The contest raised $4,555 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

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The Department of Commerce’s display at the State Fair is located along the southern wall of the MarketPlace Building. The Division of State Fire Marshal is offering children an opportunity to practice calling the fire department in case of an emergency. The Division of Unclaimed Funds is giving Ohioans an opportunity to check their names for unclaimed funds. Additional displays are highlighting the Divisions of Real Estate And Professional Licensing, Financial Institutions, Industrial Compliance, Liquor Control, and Securities.