D-F Kiwanis Charities announces preparations and revisions for 74th annual Kiwanis Auction
DOVER-FOXCROFT — “Going once, going twice, sold to the man in the second row with the blue hat!”
The Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Charities is pleased to announce preparations for their very popular largest fundraiser and summer tradition, the annual Kiwanis Auction to be held July 26-27 at the Piscataquis Valley Fairgrounds. We are eagerly looking forward to welcoming crowds of old and new friends as we work hard to keep this annual tradition alive and fun, all in the name of working for the benefit of our kids and community.
Thanks to many for their generous donations! Community members far and wide along with summer visitors have already donated many items for the auction. The barn is filling up fast and already has many fine “treasures” to get everyone excited. Donations are greatly appreciated from now right up through Tuesday, July 23.
We have had to make a few changes this year due to limited help. The auction requires hundreds of man hours of preparation and many hands on deck. Our membership is getting older and it is getting harder to find younger strong backs to help us. Therefore,
1) We are limiting our pickups to Tuesday nights only 5–8 p.m. through July 23. However, you may drop off donations at the fairgrounds on the deck of Barn 2 anytime. We appreciate all who donate to our auction every year, it wouldn’t be possible without your generosity.
2) Again, due to limited help, we won’t be able to pick up “after yard sale” items. We have found that most items which didn’t sell at your yard sale won’t sell over the block either forcing us to rent expensive dumpsters and/ or use our tired backs to transport to town landfill. We hope this doesn’t sound ungrateful as we are more than grateful for everyone’s genuine generosity. We appreciate everyone’s donations and big hearts more than we can say — we just ask that you please don’t leave items that would be unsaleable …
3) There will be a reduced schedule this year. Live auction on Friday, July 26 only – starting earlier than usual – 4 p.m. and goes until dark. Of course including all the normal excitement listed below along with a 50/50 raffle and the normal Big Grand Prize Raffle. Watch for these tickets to be available starting at the Maine Whoopie Pie Festival through the closing of the live auction.
The good news is that we will be allowing prospective bidders into the barn one hour prior to the start of the live auction for viewing purposes only. Limited numbers at a time from 3–4 p.m. on Friday, July 26.
4) Anything we don’t sell over the block on Friday will be available with our very popular barn sale on Saturday, July 27 running from 10 a.m. until all is gone.
In the event of inclement weather on Friday night this schedule will all be pushed ahead one day.
This is the 74th annual Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Auction and is one of Piscataquis County’s most anticipated events — meeting up with old friends, a frenzy of bidding on bargains galore, great food, and a chance to help Kiwanis support the kids of our community through their many project. Just a win-win event for everyone involved.
The popular auction chants will ring out over the crowd as longtime favorite auctioneer (and Auction Chairman) Paul Davis along with his popular sidekicks amuse the crowd with jokes and descriptions of “exciting items you just can’t live without!”
The 2-day auction will tout all the normal exciting activities – including the bargain barn, an inside “yard sale” run by and supporting the Foxcroft Academy Key Club, “fill a bag” of goodies for just a few dollars – with this building opening at 3 p.m. on July 26 at 3 p.m. as well as the book barn” filled with thousands of-books especially cookbooks, movies, DVD’s, CD’s — Klondike Bars and popcorn too — all supporting the same local Kiwanis Charities .
The food trailers will be fully stocked for you with those delicious and famous Kiwanis red hot dogs, burgers, French fries, dough boys and Beverage Express for those who don’t want to wait in line but need a cold drink quickly.
Once again, we plan to have a “maintenance” department checking all mechanical and electrical treasures to make sure they are in working condition before bidding starts.
Anything we don’t sell over the block on Friday will be available with our very popular barn sale on Saturday, July 27 running from 10 a.m. until all is gone.
Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Charities appreciates your support of its charitable projects – some which include our signature project – Kiwanis Park located next to the PRYMCA, Hooked On Fishing, Not Drugs, our weekend backpack program for SeDoMoCha School students, Center Theatre drama program, PRYMCA swim program, Friends of Community Fitness, Piscataquis Soil & Water Conservation District summer camp, Piscataquis Regional Food Cupboard, academic awards for Foxcroft Academy and Central High School Key Clubs, Builder’s Club, meals for seniors, annual Christmas Project, and many other community needs.
We have formed a “Friends of Kiwanis” program and anyone willing or interested in helping with any of the projects listed above, including our very popular auction would be greatly appreciated. Thanking you all in advance for your support. It takes a village to care for our kids and make life better for all “one child and one community at a time”.
For further information regarding pickups on Tuesday evenings, to volunteer, or any other auction-related question, please call Rita at 207-270-0536.