A pair of elk antlers sold for $1,025 to become the top money-raiser at the Emporia Friends of the Zoo auction Friday evening.
The auction grossed approximately $13,000, a record for the auction, according to Cindy Detwiler, co-chairperson of the event.
Detwiler said that the change in format this year succeeded beyond expectations. The 2007 auction was moved to the Emporia Country Club, admission was charged and participants were encouraged to dress in clothing appropriate to the auction’s western theme.
“It was wonderful, absolutely wonderful,” Detwiler said this morning.
Approximately 150 people attended, resulting in a standing-room-only situation for a short time.
“They were carrying chairs upstairs,” she said. “We had tables set for 128.”
Other top sellers, according to zoo office manager Lori Andrews, were sponsorships of Samson the mountain lion for $700, the bald eagles for $350 and the bison for $225. Winning bidders will have their names put on plaques in those animals’ display areas.
On Saturday night, the St. Patrick’s Day committee held its annual auction to benefit a charity that is selected each year before the event. This year, money from the auction and related activities will be donated to purchase playground equipment at Peter Pan Park.
The auction netted between $6,500 and $7,000, according to chairman Beverly Durham.
“I was tickled to death,” Durham said. “We had a lot of nice things and I think everybody had a wonderful time. We’ve still got ticket sales for the trip, donations, we’re still selling shirts. We’re not done.”
Gary Burgess of Bruff’s Bar and Grill donated use of the building to the committee and installed a closed-circuit television hook-up so bidders in the back patio had a better view of the auction.
“Those folks that were seated in there could watch on the screen and as things came up to bid, they could go to the main area,” she said.
Fundraising activities will continue until St. Patrick’s Day, Durham said.
Committee members are requesting a $1 donation per ticket to enter a drawing for a trip to Las Vegas, which includes transportation and three days’ lodging. Commemorative T-shirts and other St. Patrick’s memorabilia will be sold until the St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 17, when the drawing will be held for the trip.