Community News

Bearfootin’ Bear auction raises $122,800 for nonprofits

People of all ages came to check out the Bearfootin' Bears during the annual auction of downtown Hendersonville's popular public art exhibit.

By Lightning Reports, Published: November 19, 2024

For a while on Saturday night, it looked like the annual Bearfootin’ Bear auction might fall short of last year’s total of $117,000.

But a late flurry of bidding, and a spirited battle for Enchanted Guardian — a brightly rendered mother-and-cub creation by artist Miriam Hughes — pushed the total haul to $122,800, beating last year’s total but trailing the all-time high of $140,000 in 2022.

“Since 2014, the Bearfootin’ Bear Auction has raised over $838,000 to benefit local nonprofits and downtown Hendersonville,” said Terrye Jacobs, event coordinator for the city of Hendersonville. “This incredible achievement highlights the remarkable talent of our local artists and the generosity of our community. The auction not only supports vital causes but also adds a unique charm to Hendersonville, delighting both visitors and residents every year on Main Street.”

Proceeds from each bear purchase benefit a designated local nonprofit. The first $3,000 of the winning bid is split with the designated nonprofit and the Friends of Downtown Hendersonville, the nonprofit that organizes the annual Bearfootin’ Bear Walk and other downtown events. Any amount above the first $3,000 goes entirely to the designated nonprofit.

Three of the bears sold at the buy-now option for $10,000 — Wylde Spirit by Amy Weinsoff and Diana Levenson, Out of the Blue by AnnMarie Blanc and Buzzter Sobear by Alicia Eddy — which was available through Thursday leading up to the auction. A total of 61 bidders placed more than 286 bids throughout the auction period.

The countdown celebration on Saturday featured music by the Parker’s Back duo, descriptions of each bear by Jacobs and emcee Bryan Byrd and bell-ringing by volunteers who dashed from bear to bear heralding new bids.

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Interested in sponsoring a 2025 Bearfootin’ Bear? Online applications to sponsor a bear for the 2025 season can be found at hendersonvillenc.gov/bearfootin. Bears are available on a “first come first served” basis.