This auction is on fire

The Creston Fire Department’s largest annual fundraiser, the Creston Auction & Country Fair, has been held each year in Creston since 1966. This benefit for the all-volunteer fire department is the largest spring event in Montana, drawing thousands of people from throughout the region and Canada annually.

As always, the event takes place over 3 days. Here are some of the details for this year’s event:

* The 52nd Annual Creston Auction & Country Fair and the accompanying RV, Marine, Auto & Equipment Sale will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 7 and 8, in Creston, 12 miles east of Kalispell on State Hwy 35.

* Friday, April 6, is Consignment Day and the ONLY day that consigned or donated items will be accepted. Items can be consigned, meaning a portion of the sale price goes back to the seller, or donated, meaning all proceeds of the sale go to the Creston Fire Dept. Donations are accepted from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the sale grounds.

* Saturday, April 7, grounds open at 7 a.m. and the general merchandise auction kicks off at 9 a.m., following the opening ceremonies. Bid tickets for Saturday cost $5 and go on sale at 7 a.m. Attendees can also purchase locally made art and handcrafts, rummage sale items and homemade baked goods.

* The vehicle and equipment sale begins at 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 8. The day’s $10 bid tickets go on sale at 9 a.m.

* There is no entrance fee and NO BUYER’S PREMIUM. Bid ticket charges go entirely toward paying for 24-hour security for the weekend. Bid tickets will also be available for purchase on Friday, April 6. The Creston Auction & Country Fair is sponsored by the Creston Fire Fighter’s Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

* Hot food and drink are available on both days.

* Last year’s auction netted over $47,000 for Creston Fire and all funds were used for safety equipment and training. Monies collected from this year’s event will go directly towards funding the construction of the new fire station.

For more information, call 406-250-7396, visit our website at crestonfire.org or find us on Facebook under “Creston Auction”.