News

Online Bearfootin' Bear auction under way ahead of final bids Saturday

By Lightning Reports, Published: October 18, 2023

Virtual bidding is underway for the 2023 Bearfootin’ Bear auction in the runup to the season finale at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at the Historic Courthouse Square, the Friends of Downtown Hendersonville announced. Bidders are able to bid remotely via text message until auction day.

The virtual auction has been a proven success for raising funds for 20 local nonprofits every year, with the 2022 auction exceeding $140,000. Bears can be purchased at the ‘Buy it Now’ price of $10,000. Bidders seeking to ‘buy now’ must do so before 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19. Bears still open for bid after that time may sell for more than the buy-now price.

At the bear auction on Oct. 21, attendees and bidders may meet the bears while enjoying live music and refreshments available for purchase from Mini Batch Bakery. Event hosts will guide participants through the evening, announce incoming bids and share background of local nonprofits that beneift from each bear sale. Instead of voice call bidding, attendees will be able to bid live via cell phone.

How to bid:
1. Go to: https://www.accelevents.com/e/bearauction23 or downtownhendersonville.org.
2. Select bear and click "bid now.”
3. Bidders will enter name, cell phone, credit card, email address and mailing address.
4. Bidders will make their desired bids, starting at $1,500 with a minimum bid of $100. A buy-it-now price is available for $10,000 and will automatically charge credit cards. Bidders who wish to buy the bear in advance should contact info@downtownhendersonville.org to secure a buy-now bear to pay with check in order to avoid credit card fees.
5. The auction software will send a text confirmation of bids and a notification if outbid.
6. On the final day of the auction bidders will have until 6 p.m. sharp to win their bear.