Child Development Resources is continuing its 50th anniversary celebrations this weekend with the 38th annual Bid ‘n Buy Auction, the nonprofit’s largest fundraiser of the year.
When doors open at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, event attendees will have the opportunity to peruse more than 500 items that have been donated by local businesses and individuals for inclusion in the silent auction.
Silent auction items run the gamut of tastes and interests – highlights include gift certificates to local restaurants; packages for massages and other luxurious treatments at local spas; tickets to college sporting events; home improvement items and tools; kitchen supplies; furniture; artwork from local artists and galleries; rounds of golf and passes to local gyms; theater tickets; children’s toys; vacation packages; jewelry and clothing.
The silent auction will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., but attendees can also scope out what is up for grabs and place bids ahead of time on CDR’s website.
Once the silent auction concludes, focus will shift to the live auction portion of the event. Eleven one-of-a-kind items and experiences will be auctioned off starting at 2 p.m., including a weeklong Florida vacation complete with tickets to Disney or Universal Studios, a fighter-pilot-for-a-day experience, a custom-designed outdoor playground worth up to $2,000 and a weeklong stay at a golf community in the Outer Banks.
At the conclusion of the live auction, the winner of the raffle for a four-night Disney cruise to the Bahamas will be drawn.
Though the live and silent auctions are the day’s main events, kids can enjoy hanging out in the Kid Zone, which will feature a bounce house, petting zoo, games and activities.
Families can also grab a bite to eat at the food court, which will include vendors like Pita Pit, Ben & Jerry’s, Crony Hot Dogs, Jimmy’s Pizza and Small Cakes.
“It’s a really big event with lots of stuff to do. Even if you’re not interested in bidding, it’s a really fun event,” said Marsha Hargette, CDR’s director of development. “Though I would be shocked if someone came out and couldn’t find something they wanted to bid on.”
Hargette estimates in past years the auction has drawn a crowd of 500 to 700 people, a figure she hopes will remain steady this year.
“The community really comes out in force for this event,” Hargette said. “It’s a really fun event because there’s a little something for everyone.”
The Bid ‘n Buy Auction will take place at Jamestown High School from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. This event is free and open to the public.
