Charles City 9th Grader, Steer in Governor’s Charity Steer Show

A Charles City ninth grader will participate in the annual Governor’s Charity Steer Show at the Iowa State Fair this weekend.

Brennan Ruzicka of Marble Rock and his steer, Peaches, are among 24 youth and their steers to be exhibited in Des Moines this Saturday (08.10) afternoon at 4:30 pm in the Pioneer Pavillion on the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. Each youth and steer will be accompanied by a guest celebrity, with Ruzicka being paired with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. Governor Kim Reynolds will also be among the celebrities in the show ring.

Since 1983, the Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show has raised over $5 million for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa, located in Des Moines, Iowa City, and Sioux City. Last year’s show raised more than $500,000 and included Charles City’s Taylor Quade and her steer, Max, winners of the People’s Choice Award.

Ruzicka, son of John and Michelle Ruzicka, has been showing cattle for five years. He says is looking forward to walking into a packed Pavilion with Peaches and it’ll be something he’ll remember forever.

Other north Iowa youth participating in this weekend’s Governor’s Charity Steer Show include Brogan Gavin of Lansing/Allamakee County and his steer, Johny, and Lucy Wibholm of Dows/Franklin County and her steer, Ronnie. 

Sponsor: Friends of Floyd County

      Celebrity: Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture

      Exhibitor: Brennan Ruzicka | Marble Rock, IA

      Steer: Peaches

Sponsors: Foster and Evelyn Barkema Charitable Trust and Friends of Franklin County Cattlemen

      Celebrity: Chip Flory, Host of AgriTalk

      Exhibitor: Lucy Wibholm | Dows, IA

      Steer: Ronnie

Sponsors: Benton County Cattlemen and Local Supporters

      Celebrity: Tim O’Connell, 3x World Champion Bareback Rider

      Exhibitor: Reagan Burmeister | Rowley, IA

      Steer: French Fry

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 Sponsor: Iowa Premium, A National Beef Company

      Celebrity: Tom Gavin, Father of Brogan Gavin

      Exhibitor: Brogan Gavin | Lansing, IA

      Steer: Johny

Sponsor: ServiTech, Inc.

      Celebrity: Ryan Hassebrook, ServiTech President & CEO

      Exhibitor: Addy Schaa | Kamrar, IA

      Steer: Cooper