The last day of the Minnesota State Fair is more than just one last opportunity to walk around in public eating fried cheese on sticks. Today is the culmination of the 4-H livestock competitions, when all the prize-winning animals go up for auction. The bids are well above market price, and the money is split between local charities and the 4-H kids who raised the winning animals.
2nd District Congressman Gil Gutknecht is the event's celebrity auctioneer. Last year Gutknecht only lasted for two or three sales, but his staff says he's been resting his voice this year, and today he went hours without a break. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste stopped by the fairgrounds earlier today and talked to Dave Skiba, who helps run the auction, and interviews an owner of grand champion angus that just sold.