It was a packed house for the Friends of the Museum and Gallery Festival of Wreaths live auction on Dec. 8 at the Humboldt and District Gallery.
There was barely enough room to swing the bidding paddle as 20 items were auctioned off live with Mel and Josie Streoder, Jeff Bergerman and company, 99 silent auction items, three raffle prizes, and the Jingle Bottle auction.
The large crowd did have a great time and were bidding their hearts out, says Jean Price with the Humboldt and District Museum and Gallery.
“It’s always a fun atmosphere. Having Mel and Josie gives it an air of something a little more exciting than if I was doing the auctioneering.”
Streoder has been come out to the Festival for all of the past 17 years and he always has a good time helping the community, he says.
“It’s a fun night and you meet different people every time.”
Streoder kicked off the auction by reminiscing about the first festival they had in 1999. Streoder says it was about -50 but they still had a good turn out and a good time.
All the items and raffle prizes were donated from the community, which Price says they are truly grateful for.
Price says they are also thankful for everyone who came out to bid on the items. Silent auction items were open for bid starting Nov. 17.
A big seller for both the live and silent auctions was the dessert trays provided by the volunteer bakers.
Organizer Marion Hingley says about 14 bakers came together to make the 15 trays that were donated for the auction with every baker bringing a contribution and then meeting to make them up at Hingley’s house.
The Bakers have been donating to the Festival ever since it began and they really appreciate all the Museum and Gallery do for the community. They are very enthusiastic about helping, says Hingley.
Price laughs that they always promise five but bring a lot more.
Funds raised from the auction goes to everything from museum and gallery art programs to the Canada 150 project to the concert series.
The Friends’ fundraising is really important for the Museum and Gallery, says Price.
