ESTEVAN - The Million Dollar Auction proved to be such a success last year that the local media outlets who put it on decided to bring it back again this fall.
The auction is kicking off this week. Over the next few weeks, people can drop by the participating businesses for their chance to spin the wheel and win play money that can be used to purchase items.
The auction will occur on Oct. 13 at the Estevan Market Mall, starting at 7 p.m. Norm Mack will be the auctioneer.
Patricia Pasloski, the sales manager for the Estevan Mercury, noted that last fall, the Estevan Mercury, SASKTODAY.ca, Discover Estevan and the three Golden West radio stations partnered to bring the biggest giveaway to Estevan and area.
“There was an amazing response to this promotion, which had readers and listeners visiting different sponsors to spin the wheel to win auction money,” she said.
The wheel will be returning to sponsor businesses again this year during the live on location broadcasts by CJ 1150, Sun 102.3 and Rock 106 throughout September and into October.
People can also earn auction money by following Facebook pages for the sponsor businesses and keeping an eye on Discover Estevan and the Estevan Mercury Facebook pages.
“The auction money collected can be used to bid on items supplied by the sponsors,” said Pasloski. “Who doesn’t like an auction? Especially with play money? For really cool things."
The Million Dollar Auction was a success last year, and she expects more of the same in 2022.
“This is a fun and interactive promotion that we are excited to bring back,” said Pasloski.
The auction gets its name because $1 million in play money will be printed at Graphic Press.
Hannah Battersby, who is the sales manager for Golden West Radio in Estevan, said there is some really good merchandise that will be available again this year.
Some new features will be added to the wheel that people can look forward to seeing.
“We will be incorporating something for each of the businesses that we go to, so they will be able to showcase some deals or some items that they want,” said Battersby.
During last year’s live on location broadcasts, long lineups formed at each of the businesses, as people were eager to spin the wheel and win a prize. Many people stayed around afterwards and shopped in the stores.
It’s also important to note that the items available in the auction will be of quality and will appeal to a variety of people.
“It’s up to the business to be able to provide those items that they want to put into the auction, and it’s good for the community to be able to get involved and go to those local businesses that have items in the auction, and also to support those local businesses. And that’s part of why we like doing the Million Dollar Auction,” said Battersby.
There will be large items, smaller items and some packages, just like last year.
Battersby said everyone involved received good feedback from the public.
“It really brought the community together to come to those businesses, and being able to share their support with us and the paper … we get to collectively support everybody, and I think that’s a huge piece for our community and we’ll be able to present that again,” said Battersby.
