A ham breakfast raised $10.5M for charity at last year's Kentucky State Fair. Will it happen again?
The annual event brings together politicians, farmers and business leaders who bid on an award-winning ham with its proceeds going to charity.
Kelly Craft, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and Republican gubernatorial primary candidate, along with her husband Joe Craft, said proceeds would support the Boys and Girls Clubs. The organization is a mental health initiative that works with young people from disadvantaged circumstances and has been building homes for flood victims in Eastern Kentucky.
Miss Kentucky Katie Bouchard presents this year’s Kentucky State Fair first place ham for auction at the 55th annual Kentucky Farm Bureau Kentucky Country Ham Breakfast. This year’s ham was purchased for $2.8 million dollars, with half from Central Bank and half from Dr. Mark Lynn. Aug. 23, 2018
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"I think this is all about the Kentucky Farm Bureau and all about the people that work so hard in our state to make today happen," Craft said. "I love farm life, and my brother still farms. He has his farm, and there is nothing more important than to see young adults who have work ethic and to be able to appreciate the fact our farmland is the reason that our state is able to eat and thrive."
Here's what to know about the 61st annual Kentucky Country Ham Breakfast.
When is the 2025 Kentucky State Fair Ham Breakfast?
The 61st annual Kentucky Country Ham Breakfast at the Kentucky State Fair will be from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21.
What is the Ham Breakfast at the Kentucky State Fair?
At the Kentucky Country Ham Breakfast, an award-winning ham is auctioned with the proceeds going to a charity of the winner's choice.
The event has established itself as the place to be for politicians, farmers and business leaders who go to the Kentucky State Fair to bid on the ham of the year.
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When did the Kentucky State Fair Ham Breakfast start?
The Ham Breakfast started in 1964 as a way for the industry to drum up business and promote itself. The prized ham sold for $124 that year.
How is the ham selected each year for the Kentucky State Fair breakfast?
Courier Journal features columnist Maggie Menderski visited the ham competition in 2022. This is where the winning ham used in the Kentucky Country Ham Breakfast auction is selected each year.
A detailed description of how the most expensive ham in the country is chosen can be found online at The Courier Journal.
See the Top 5 bids of the Kentucky Ham Auction, 2014-2024
- 2024: $10.5 million, Joe and Kelly Craft.
- 2023: $10 million, Joe and Kelly Craft, and Luther Deaton.
- 2022: $5 million, Joe and Kelly Craft, and Luther Deaton.
- 2021: $4.8 million, Central Bank and Kelly and Joe Craft.
- 2014: $2 million, Republican Bank, Hermitage Bank Charities with Bridgeman Foods, Inc.
Former reporter for The Courier Journal Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez contributed. Reporter Hannah Pinski contributed. Reach Marina Johnson at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: A ham breakfast raised $10.5M for charity at last year's Kentucky State Fair. Will it happen again?
