ESTEVAN — After weeks of anticipation, the Million Dollar Auction is nearly here.
For the second straight year, the Estevan Mercury, SASKTODAY.ca, and Golden West Broadcasting’s Estevan outlets – CJ 1150, Sun 102.3, Rock 106 and Discover Estevan – are teaming up for the event, which will be Oct. 13 at the Estevan Market Mall and feature all sorts of items from businesses in the community.
Doors open at 6 p.m. and the auction starts an hour later. Mack Auction Services will be the auctioneer. Eighteen different prizes, each worth at least $250, will be available.
During the past few weeks, people have been winning play money that can be used to bid on auction goods. Participants could spin the wheel during live action broadcasts at participating businesses to win the fake cash. Or they earn money through various Facebook promotions, including the Mercury’s weekly Win Wednesday contest.
Pat Pasloski, the sales manager at the Mercury, said the response to the contest has been “awesome”, and while they recognize some of the faces and names of those collecting the money from last year, there are new bidders joining the fun.
“We’ve heard stories from spouses telling us that their wives or husbands have them running, going from one live action broadcast to another, and then entering Facebook contests to win more auction money. This is serious stuff,” said Pasloski.
There are some great items that will be sold this year, she said, including gift cards and certificates, a cast iron barbecue, furniture, a laptop, gift baskets, hunting decoys, hearing aids, a couple of hotel stays, and sunglasses and contact lenses.
“It will be an interesting array of items to bid on, highlighting the diverse products available locally,” said Pasloski.
There will be some changes from last year’s auction. Adequate seating will be available since COVID-19 restrictions won’t be a factor.
A raffle table has also been added, so now those who are unsuccessful in bidding for an item can use their auction money to enter to win smaller items that have been donated by sponsors.
Andrew McCormack, the program manager at Golden West Broadcasting in Estevan, said everything has gone well over the past few weeks.
“It’s been a lot of fun this year,” said McCormack. “I think people are excited about a raffle table with extra chances to win.”
The live action broadcasts have been popular with people looking to win auction bucks. And they have been a good way for people to check out businesses around town or to shop before or after they spin the wheel.
“We have smaller denominations on the win wheel, and it seems like people come in waves, but it’s been consistent over the two hours. It’s been a lot of people coming in. It’s fun to chat with a lot of people and it’s been exciting,” said McCormack.
There will be something for everybody during the auction.
Some people pooled their money last year to give themselves more buying power, and he said that could happen again this year, as some of the prizes could easily be split.
Pasloski said it is wonderful that Golden West and the Estevan Mercury are able to work together to bring a fun and exciting promotion like this to the community.
“Everyone needs a little fun in their lives, and the lead-up to the auction was just the beginning,” said Pasloski.
She also thanked the Estevan Market Mall for allowing the Mercury and Golden West to use their space again this year. The mall has been so helpful and generous with their time, she said.
