The Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce’s Oktoberfest/27th annual Public Auction is coming up soon, and the organization has planned many features to make sure attendees enjoy the celebration.
The event will be held Oct. 24 at the Bradford Club. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and the live auction will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Activities will include a live action, a silent auction, pretzel drawings and a 50/50 playing card drawing. Lloyd Burkhouse of Lloyd Burkhouse Auctions, along with local celebrity auctioneer Tim Asinger of Kessel Construction, will conduct the auction. A menu of German-inspired foods tops off the fun.
“Like all of our Chamber events, our auction serves two purposes,” said Britt J. Watson, BACC membership & marketing coordinator. “First, it allows our members and community to engage in a networking opportunity.
“Through in-kind and monetary donations made by this generous community, we then are able to auction off unique and practical items that raise money so the chamber can further bolster the community in beautification, notoriety and brand,” she said.
Watson listed a few of the auction items for which attendees will be able to compete.
She said, “We have one-of-a-kind collectors Zippo lighters, many pieces of art, the stainless steel flagpole from ABC, various gift baskets, a YETI cooler filled with items (YETI and items inside are from our board), gift certificates from businesses around town, plants.
“We even have a certificate for a survey from E & M Engineers!” Watson added. “The items are
great because there’s such a variety, radio ad gift certificates all the way to auto maintenance products. Something for everybody!”
The dinner spread will include an array of festive treats.
Watson explained, “As for the menu, this year we are offering additional items along with the regular Oktoberfest fair style.”
This includes a fresh vegetable tray w/beau monde dip, an assorted cheese display w/grapes and crackers, BBQ kielbasa w/BBQ sauce, stuffed mushrooms w/crab meat, Swedish meatballs, roast beef sliders on regular slider rolls w/horseradish sauce, warm German potato salad, spinach artichoke dip w/fresh pita, German chocolate cake, apple strudel and pumpkin crisp.
There will be a cash bar, too.
While sponsorships will be available even on Oct. 24, sponsors must come forward by this Friday if they want to be acknowledged in the event’s promotional pieces.
Donations should be submitted by Oct. 21.
Advance tickets will be available for purchase until 4 p.m. Oct. 23 — the day before the event — for $30 each or two for $50. Tickets will be available at the door for $35 each.
For reservations, call the BACC at 814-368-7115 or email Watson at membership@bradfordchamber.com.
The chamber is also preparing for its annual Christmas parade, which will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 on Main Street, Bradford.
The public can submit ideas for the 2019 parade until Friday, and the theme will be announced next week. Registration to take part in the parade ends Nov. 19. Call or email to suggest a theme or to register.
