Get ready to bid on all things Bradford.

The 14th annual Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce radio and
public auctions – the Chamber’s main fundraisers – are set for Oct.
20 and 24, respectively.

The radio call-in auction is now in its third year, according to
Chamber executive director Diane Sheeley. This year, however, it
will be strictly a call-in auction, whereas in past years, patrons
also had the choice of placing a bid in person at the Chamber
office on South Avenue.

Those interesting in bidding during the radio auction should
know an advertisement listing the packages up for bid will appear
in The Bradford Era prior to the event. Callers can listen to the
early show, where the packages will again be detailed, and then
call WESB directly to bid from 7 to 11 a.m. Oct. 20.

Last year’s radio auction garnered about $700 alone for the
Chamber, and included six packages.

The events for the silent, live and bucket auctions Oct. 24 will
get under way at 5 p.m. at the Fraternal Order of the Eagles #2432
on East Main Street, Sheeley said, starting with musical
entertainment until 6 p.m. New to the auction this year, the
musical entertainment will be provided by A.J. Curtis and Kathy
Sullivan.

“Hearty hors d’oeuvres,” both hot and cold, will be served at
that time, as well, Sheeley added.

Back again this year are the guest auctioneers, who she said
“added an element of whimsy and fun last year.”

Jerry Herman and Ben Sherman of Fairway Ford did a “Ben and
Jerry’s Show” last year, Sheeley said, and American Refining Group
Chief Operating Officer Harvey Golubock was also a big hit.

“Harvey will be back,” she said. “He had a great time last
year.”

Other guest auctioneers include Kathy Jones of Zippo
Manufacturing Co., John Sullivan of W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery
Co., Shane Oschman from Northwest Savings Bank, Glen Washington
from Bradford Regional Medical Center and Robin Cauvel from Times
Past.

According to Sheeley, H.L. “Woody” Woodruff is “still the
anchor” for the Chamber auctions, however, and will be ringing the
opening bell to get the auctions started.

The Chamber was still accepting donations, she said.

Packages available for bids include overnight stays at local bed
and breakfasts like the Mountain Lauren Inn, which participates
every year, Sheeley said. Majestic Trails and other outdoor
recreation businesses and campgrounds have donated. Between Four
Walls donated an oversized recliner, she said, and Hull Electric
gave the Chamber a set of lamps to bid out.

While she would like to be able to recognize each business or
individual who donated, Sheeley said, the sheer size of the list
precludes that idea. She encourages everyone to instead come out to
the auction and see what’s up for bid. Offered at last year’s event
were theme packages like a sports packages comprised of Buffalo
Bills or Pittsburgh Pirates tickets and chance to sit on the bench
during University of Pittsburgh at Bradford sporting events. Also
last year, the Chamber sold a children’s birthday package which
included free swim at the YMCA, a freezer cake from Dairy Queen and
party favors.

Last year’s main auctions garnered about $8,000 for the Chamber,
Sheeley said, adding she does not like to release a monetary goal
before the event.

The event’s major sponsors are the Zippo/Case Visitors Center,
ARG, Pitt-Bradford and The Bradford Manor.