BRANDON — One of Brandon’s liveliest annual events — the Great Brandon Auction — always takes place on the third Tuesday in July, usually in Central Park. Again this year, due to downtown road construction, organizers will be putting up our tents 1 mile north of town right on Route 7 at Estabrook Park.
That means there will be lots of space, lots of parking and lots of fun on July 16.
The Annual Great Brandon Auction has been raising funds for Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce support and development projects in the town of Brandon since 1989, and it has grown into a popular summer event.
Auctioneer Barb Watters (pictured, left) has presided over all three decades and the Chamber has turned over more than $175,000 into many town projects. Barb does an amazing job of enticing bids, keeping up the pace, and entertaining the crowd all at the same time. She’s auctioned off a Steinway and a urinal, fire hydrants, and Warrant Kimble original paintings. Auction organizers have dealt with rain, winds, lightning, and even a power failure; but nothing has stopped it.
Brandon has proven to be a very generous community and Estabrook Park will be overflowing with items large and small. It takes about 50 volunteers to turn the day into a success and they are on-board and ready to work.
The Chamber invites you to be a part of the auction come July 16. Come to the spot just north of downtown and bid and buy. The preview starts at 2 p.m. and Auctioneer Barb Watters will hit the gavel precisely at 4 p.m. If you can’t stay, you may leave a bid with a Chamber staff person. BLSG Insect Control District staff will be spraying the night before so we will stay comfortable all evening. Hopefully the Brandon Lions will be grilling dinner again and providing cold drinks and snacks so you can support two area non-profits without even leaving the park.
Bring a chair, a friend and cash or a good check. Combined purchases over $500 can charge with a credit card. Sales tax of 7 percent will be charged on all purchases except gift certificates and clothes so if you are a re-seller, bring your tax number.