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Still 'The Auctioneer,' Leroy Vandyke gets $5,000 for autographed guitar to benefit Missouri 4-H, FFA
Aug 14, 2008, 7:15 PM
SEDALIA, Mo. -- Music legend Leroy Van Dyke auctioned an autographed guitar Wednesday evening at the Missouri State Fair Country Gold Tour concert and raised $5,000 to benefit Missouri 4-H and FFA organizations.
The guitar had been autographed by Van Dyke and the other artists featured in this tour-- Helen Cornelius, Rex Allen Jr., Jim Ed Brown, Bobby Bare, Moe Bandy, T.G. Sheppard and Charlie Rich Jr., plus 2008 State Fair Queen Whitney Wallace.
Van Dyke, who has been performing professionally for more than 50 years, is best known for his hit, "The Auctioneer," and he showed his hometown audience he still knows how to conduct an auction.
With many teenagers from both 4-H and FFA standing on stage with him, he solicited the help of some other auctioneers in the audience of 3,600 to watch for bidders, and quickly got the price up.
The winning bid of $5,000 was made by Ron Ditzfeld, owner of Ditzfeld Transfer of Sedalia, a generous supporter of Fair activities.
“The entire donation will go to the groups to divide equally,” said Gladys Van Dyke, manager of the Country Gold Tour and wife of Leroy. “They can use the money in any way they feel it will be most useful.”
VanDyke told the audience he has been auctioning guitars at each fair on the tour this summer. The least one has brought was $500, and someone at the South Dakota State Fair paid $11,000 for one.
Both 4-H and FFA are very involved at the Fair showing animals, projects and assisting the Fair staff where needed.
The 4-H organization offers “learn by doing” to encourage personal development. 4-H has three primary program areas designed to teach leadership and citizenship skills: science, engineering and technology.
FFA is an agricultural science education program that aims to foster personal growth and development through classroom instruction, agricultural experience programs and other activities. The FFA organization represents a large diversity of more 300 careers in the food, fiber and natural resources industry.
“The career skills and other benefits gained from agricultural programs such as 4-H and FFA make them a notable cause to invest in,” Mrs. Van Dyke said.
The Missouri State Fair will conclude Sunday, Aug. 17, with a reduced adult admission price of $4. Visit www.mostatefair.com for more information.
The guitar had been autographed by Van Dyke and the other artists featured in this tour-- Helen Cornelius, Rex Allen Jr., Jim Ed Brown, Bobby Bare, Moe Bandy, T.G. Sheppard and Charlie Rich Jr., plus 2008 State Fair Queen Whitney Wallace.
Van Dyke, who has been performing professionally for more than 50 years, is best known for his hit, "The Auctioneer," and he showed his hometown audience he still knows how to conduct an auction.
With many teenagers from both 4-H and FFA standing on stage with him, he solicited the help of some other auctioneers in the audience of 3,600 to watch for bidders, and quickly got the price up.
The winning bid of $5,000 was made by Ron Ditzfeld, owner of Ditzfeld Transfer of Sedalia, a generous supporter of Fair activities.
“The entire donation will go to the groups to divide equally,” said Gladys Van Dyke, manager of the Country Gold Tour and wife of Leroy. “They can use the money in any way they feel it will be most useful.”
VanDyke told the audience he has been auctioning guitars at each fair on the tour this summer. The least one has brought was $500, and someone at the South Dakota State Fair paid $11,000 for one.
Both 4-H and FFA are very involved at the Fair showing animals, projects and assisting the Fair staff where needed.
The 4-H organization offers “learn by doing” to encourage personal development. 4-H has three primary program areas designed to teach leadership and citizenship skills: science, engineering and technology.
FFA is an agricultural science education program that aims to foster personal growth and development through classroom instruction, agricultural experience programs and other activities. The FFA organization represents a large diversity of more 300 careers in the food, fiber and natural resources industry.
“The career skills and other benefits gained from agricultural programs such as 4-H and FFA make them a notable cause to invest in,” Mrs. Van Dyke said.
The Missouri State Fair will conclude Sunday, Aug. 17, with a reduced adult admission price of $4. Visit www.mostatefair.com for more information.
