Every year, there's a Ham Breakfast at the Kentucky State Fair. What exactly is it?

Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, Louisville Courier Journal

The 2024 Kentucky State Fair marks the 60th annual Kentucky Country Ham Breakfast and while this event is popular among politicians in the commonwealth, other state fair attendees might wonder what goes on every year in the Exposition Center.

The annual Kentucky Country Ham Breakfast brings together politicians, farmers and business leaders who bid on a big award-winning ham with its proceeds going to charity.

The ham at the 59th edition of the breakfast was sold for $10 million. Kelly Craft, the former US ambassador to the United Nations and Republican gubernatorial primary candidate, along with her husband Joe Craft and Central Bank president and CEO Luther Deaton, made joint bids of $5 million, The Courier Journal previously reported.

“We are humbled to play a role in Kentucky Farm Bureau’s efforts to give back to those who need it most,” Deaton previously said. “Giving back is important to everyone on our team and we are thrilled to be donating our portion of the bid to several charities and nonprofit organizations throughout Kentucky.”

Here's what to know about the 60th annual Kentucky Country Ham Breakfast:

When is the ham breakfast at the 2024 Kentucky State Fair?

The 60th annual Kentucky Country Ham Breakfast at the Kentucky State Fair will be at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22.

What is the ham breakfast at the Kentucky State Fair?

At 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.

When did the ham breakfast at the Kentucky State Fair start?

The event started in 1964 as a way for the industry to drum up business and promote itself. The prized cut that year sold for just $124.

How is the ham of the Country Ham Breakfast chosen?

Courier Journal columnist Maggie Menderski visited the ham competition in 2022. This is where the winning ham used in the Kentucky Country Ham Breakfast auction is chosen, which does not include tasting it.

Here's a detailed description of how the most expensive ham in the country is chosen.

Top 5 bids of the Kentucky Ham Auction

  • 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.

  • 2010: $1.6 million, Republic Bank and Dr. Mark Lynn

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky State Fair 2024: What to know about the annual Ham Breakfast

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