The annual Mighty Metchosin Services Auction comes back this weekend and is promising another lively evening filled with entertainment and a fun auction for the family.
Services from local businesses like tree removal, painting and even horseback riding lessons are going to be auctioned off as well as many different items like gift cards, baskets of baked goods and homemade pies.
The event is hosted by the Metchosin Community Association and proceeds go towards the Metchosin Community House — a community venue that hosts events ranging from birthday parties to public speeches. The house is offered to community members for free so the auction, as well as a summer fundraiser, help raise money to keep it running.
There will be both a live auction and silent auction that community members can participate in as well as a blind auction, where participants bid on handmade sheep that represent prizes without knowing what the prizes are.
Johnny Carline, former president of the Metchosin Community Association and one of the directors, said the auctioneers are very fun to watch as well.
“They’re entertaining and funny,” Carline said. “I tell people, even if you’re not going to bid you should come for the entertainment.”
The event is also very social, Carline said, with a beer and wine tasting available too.
Carline said friendly rivalries between bidders sometimes come up throughout the night, making the auctions even more fun.
“One guy went past the estimated market value of something and the auctioneers kept saying he was well past it,” Carline said. “And the other guy said ‘this is a fundraiser isn’t it?’ and carried on bidding just for the joy of it. That’s the kind of spirit we like.”
The Metchosin Community Association aims to raise about $6,000 at this year’s event which is about 12 to 15 per cent of the revenue for Metchosin Community House. The revenue enables them to hire an administrator and keep programs, such as the parent and tot program for new mothers, running.
The auction takes place on Saturday, March 9 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Metchosin Community House located at 4430 Happy Valley Road. It includes a 50-50 draw prize, beer and wine sampling and the auction and is a family event.
More information about the auction can be found here.
shalu.mehta@goldstreamgazette.com