News

Bearfootin' bear auction is Saturday

By Bill Moss, Published: October 15, 2019

The 17th annual Bearfootin’ Public Art Walk is nearing its grand finale, the sale of the bears.

The annual Bearfootin’ Art Walk Auction is scheduled for Saturday, with bidder registration and live entertainment beginning at 3 p.m. and the auction scheduled for 5.

Each year, the downtown program hosts a live auction to raise funds for the Bearfootin' Art Walk and the many non-profits that the bears represent. Winning bids up to $3,000 are split evenly between the downtown program and the winning non-profit, while bid amounts that exceed $3,000 are directed to the non-profit in their entirety.

Still not sure which of those bears will look best in your home? The bears will be found hanging out together on the historic courthouse plaza right up to the auction date. The congregation of the bears at the courthouse serves not only as a reminder of the onset of fall in Hendersonville but is an impressive display of the creative talent of our community. Prospective buyers can also check out the bears in Bearfootin’ brochure, available at the Visitors Center or online at DowntownHendersonville.org. The brochure provides information on each bear, including its sponsor, non-profit beneficiary and artist.

Those who can't be in town can use a proxy bidding option. All you have to do is pick your favorite bear, set a maximum bid and the city will take care of the rest using a live on-site bidder to compete for the bear you’re interested in. Contact Dalleen Jackson at 828.233.3205 or djackson@hvlnc.gov by Oct. 17 for more information about proxy bidding.