Hayley Becker, 11, of the Lineboro 4-H Club, held up her grand champion chocolate salted caramel cake with a smile as community members shouted out bids to purchase it Wednesday night at the Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair.

Auctioneer John Roop rattled off numbers, glancing around the crowded tent as volunteers pointed to frenzied bidders.

“Who’s having a good time, raise your hand!” Roop exclaimed.

After about a minute of intense bidding, Kenny Staley and Karen Kuhn of the Carroll County Farm and Business Syndicate earned the right to take home Hayley’s cake, with a $10,000 bid.

The syndicate — a group of businesses that pooled their money to buy cakes at the annual fundraising auction — goes by a different name than before, but has purchased the grand champion cake for the past five years, Staley said. In 2023, he said the auction got “out of control,” leading the group to successfully bid $50,000 for a cake.

To Kuhn and Staley, it’s not just about taking home the best sweets. They like being able to support the county fair, ensuring free entry for all, as well as helping 4-H kids to feel supported by their community. The county fair is free to enter, unlike others in the region, and all proceeds from the cakes are used to make sure it stays free for attendees, according to Amy Petkovsek, event superintendent.