COLUMBUS—Their names could be a new batch of superhero characters: Sasquatch, General, Cosmo, Eclipse, Mr. Ranger, and Gizmo. But that deduction screeches to a halt with Buttercup, Peppa, and Zip-Zip.
Instead of new Justice League or Avenger members, the names belong to superhero beef steers who will be strutting their stuff at the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair as they raise money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Central Ohio.
Superheroes will be in many forms and sizes at the inaugural Dean’s Charity Steer Show set for 2–4 p.m., July 30, at the Voinovich Livestock & Trade Center, 717 E 17th Ave, in Columbus. The event will celebrate Ohio agriculture, Ohio communities, and Ohio children.
It will be hosted by Cathann A. Kress, vice president for agricultural administration and dean of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).
“This will be an exciting event to bring together our community to celebrate agriculture and children, both for our 4-H youth development programs as well as youth benefitting from the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio,” Kress said.
All proceeds from the event will benefit RMHC.
Central Ohio celebrity exhibitors, most of whom have no livestock experience, have been “getting their ag on” as they practice with their steers and experienced 4-H members and their families from the Ohio counties of Athens, Carroll, Fayette, Geauga, Highland, Huron, Licking, Miami, Pickaway, Putnam, Tuscarawas, and Wood.
Celebrity exhibitor teams include:
- Cathann Kress, dean of Ohio State's College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences / 4-Her Wyatt Osborn, Highland County
- Matt Barnes, WCMH-TV Channel 4 anchor / 4-Her Caroline Winter, Pickaway County
- Mark Berven, president and chief operating officer of Nationwide Property & Casualty / 4-Her Allison Davis, Carroll County
- Bobby Carpenter, former Ohio State and NFL football player, and Andy Rothman, sports talk hosts for “Carpenter and Rothman” on 97.1 FM The Fan, Columbus / 4-Her Kyle Kardotzke, Huron County
- Jay Edwards, public servant and small business owner from Athens County / 4-Her Austin Pullins, Athens County
- Clay Hall, sports director for Columbus’ WSYX 6/Fox 28 TV / 4-Her Shala Graham, Licking County
- Woody Johnson, host of “Woody and the Wake-Up Call” on WCOL-FM 92.3, Columbus / 4-Her Lauren Schulte, Putnam County
- Clark Kellogg, former Ohio State and NBA player and lead CBS Sports college basketball analyst / 4-Her Sydney Sanders, Highland County
- Rick Malir, CEO and co-founder of City Barbeque / 4-Her Jocelyn Belleville, Wood County
- Bob McElligott, sports broadcaster for the Columbus Blue Jackets / 4-Her McKalynne Helmke, Tuscarawas County
- Shelley Meyer, former first lady of Ohio State football and instructor for Ohio State’s College of Nursing / 4-Her Taylor Poff, Geauga County
- Bob Peterson, public servant and eighth-generation farmer from Fayette County / 4-Her Victoria Watts, Fayette County
- Adam Sharp, executive vice president of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation / 4-Her Sam Sutherly, Miami County
Not only will the exhibitors and superhero 4-H members team up in the show ring, but they will also compete for all-important bragging rights: who can raise the most money for RMHC, and who wins Best Steer, Showmanship, and People’s Choice awards.
Following the steer show, a “sale” will take place in the show ring. No actual transfer of animals will occur. Instead, all bids and sale proceeds will be donated to RMHC.
“Every dollar we raise means families can stay together only steps away from their hospitalized child during one of the most stressful times of their lives,” Kress said. “Last year, more than 4,500 families were provided 82,000 nights of lodging by the Columbus Ronald McDonald House, the largest Ronald McDonald House in the world.”
The facility provides a home away from home for families facing a child’s illness and hospitalization. Located across the street from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the Columbus Ronald McDonald House provides not only lodging, but also meals, a place to rest, laundry facilities, an exercise room, informal gathering areas, and activities for siblings of hospitalized children.
Families who have used the services of the Ronald McDonald House, as well as representatives from RMHC will also be on hand during the show.
The Dean’s Charity Steer Show, which will be an annual event, is coordinated by CFAES, the Telhio Credit Union, and the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association.
Make plans to attend the show (capes are optional) and support this worthy cause. Tax-deductible donations will be accepted at the event, or you can donate online to your favorite celebrity exhibitor at give.osu.edu/deanscharitysteershow.