The Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Market Bacons have been announced at the Missouri State Fair.

Jackie Clay is the exhibitor of the 2023 Grand Champion Bacon at the Missouri State Fair. Jackie is from Moberly, and is a member of the Paris Patriots 4-H. Jackie’s prize-winning bacon weighed 9.95 pounds.

The Reserve Grand Champion Bacon honor went to Chase Kendrick of Mexico. Chase is a member of the Paris FFA Chapter. His bacon weighed 7.82 pounds.

On Saturday, August 19, both Jackie and Chase will sell their bacons in two of 16 lots offered in the Missouri State Fair Sale of Champions. Proceeds from the annual sale benefit both the winning exhibitors and the Missouri State Fair Youth in Agriculture (YIA) Scholarship Program, administered by the Missouri State Fair Foundation.

Many exhibitors will work toward earning a place in the ring at the time-honored Sale of Champions Auction. Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Steers, Barrows, Lambs, Meat Goats, Pens of Chickens and Pens of Rabbits will be featured in the auction, along with the Grand and Reserve Grand Champion Hams and Bacons. The sale will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, August 19, in the Lowell Mohler Assembly Hall. The entire auction will be broadcast live by KMMO radio online.