By Jaime Thomas
Anything and everything will be up for bid at the Pawlet Volunteer Fire Department’s annual auction tonight starting at 5:30 p.m.
Jon Weiss, department captain, said the long-standing auction, which takes place outside the fire house on Route 133 in Pawlet Village, typically offers “anything under the sun.” Among other items there are usually sporting goods, tools, power equipment, furniture and antiques, as well as gift certificates donated by local businesses.
“There’s new as well as used—everything from trash to treasure,” Weiss said. People in town donate the goods, and they’re auctioned off to the highest bidder. So far, Weiss said some of this year’s big-ticket items include a number of power tools, a large amount of Telescope Casual furniture and a lot of couches.
“Telescope is wonderful to us; they donate to the auction every year,” he said.
In the past, Weiss said a four-wheeler was sold at the auction, and there is regularly a lot of power equipment like lawnmowers and snow blowers.
To round out the event and fuel hungry bidders, the fire department will sell food, such as barbeque chicken and sausages, hot dogs, burgers and more. There will also be donated baked goods and cookies for sale. The food will be available before and during the auction, so those who don’t want to miss an item are encouraged to show up early and hungry.
Proceeds from the auction benefit the fire department 100 percent, and it is one of the department’s biggest fundraisers of the year.
“It’s our most popular event of the year after the game supper,” Weiss said, pointing out that the department runs primarily on self-generated funds, so it’s important for the community to support the event in order to maintain community services.
“It’s a fun evening; it brings in people from around Poultney and surrounding communities. It’s one of the largest charity auctions in the area,” he said.
But the end of the auction might be the best chance to get good deals. The department opens up the firehouse so attendees can browse any leftover items.
“Any reasonable offer is accepted at that point. People have left with a box full of stuff they paid $1 for,” Weiss said.
Anyone who plans on staying for a while is encouraged to bring a chair to the event. For more information call 802-325-3222 and leave a message, or call Dale Decker at 802-325-3712.