Page 43 - Flathead Beacon // 3.30.16

decided to expand to a two-day event, with the rummage sale and general merchandise auction on Saturday, and the equipment sale on Sunday.
The Top Hog drawing, which started in 1974 with a donated hog, is no more, and the women don’t sit in quilting cir- cles for weeks leading up to the event as they once did. But there’s still a quilt ra e, and they continue to bake Lefse, a traditional soft Norwegian athead. One big change is that the organiz- ers have had to hire security in recent years now that the event attracts such large crowds from beyond the local neighborhoods.
In 2015, net proceeds for Creston Fire totaled more than $39,000, about 20 percent of the department’s operating budget. With annual proceeds weighing in between $25,000 and $45,000 since the late 1980s, the event has raised over $1 million.
While the re department relies on the fundraiser, it’s worth much more to the volunteers and people who call Cres- ton home.
“We could each donate a thousand bucks and probably raise the same amount of money without organizing all this,” Mahugh said, “but that’s not what it’s about... People come at 8 a.m. and stay until it’s dark. I look at it and shake my head at what we’ve created here. We joke that we could cancel it and people would still come for two or three years if we had co ee and maple bars.”
Plus, the auction has developed a repu- tation as a standout event on the auction
scene, with ve concurrent Saturday auctionsandregularattendeesthathail from across the Northwest and beyond.
“People come from across the coun- try to see how we pull it o , and with less than a half dozen complaints,” said Jim Marshall, a reman EMT and the current president of the Fireman’s Association. “This probably wouldn’t work in a lot of places that aren’t as community-oriented.”
Mahugh says the number one ques- tion they get is why they don’t host mul- tiple auctions throughout the year, but it’s a massive undertaking for people that have day jobs and ght res on the side. Planning starts around Hallow- een, and organizing kicks into high gear when the new year runs around.
As for the future, Mahugh says he hopes that the next generation will con- tinue to organize the event, especially as people become more disconnected and online shopping displaces face-to-face commerce.
“It will be here until the times change around it—auctions are kind of going away, period,” Marshall said.
“There’s not many things like this anymore,” Mahugh said. “We’ve retained the tradition and the character.”
Friday, April 1, starting at 7 a.m. is Consignment Day. The opening cer- emony is the following day at 9 a.m. There is no entrance fee for the auction, though bid tickets cost $5 on Saturday and $10 on Sunday.
clare@ atheadbeacon.com
THE MARQUEE
WHAT TO READ, SEE AND APPRECIATE
‘SUFFRAGETTE’ SHOWING AT MUSEUM AT CENTRAL SCHOOL
The 2015 movie “Su ragette,” starring Carey Mulligan and costarring Meryl Streep, will be shown on Friday, April 1, at the Museum at Central School. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the movie begins at 6:30 p.m. Admission is by donation with a minimum suggested donation of $5. The event bene ts the Scholarship Fund of the Flathead County Democratic Women.
The movie depicts the su ragette move-
ment in the United Kingdom in the early 20th
century. Some women died and many were
imprisoned in their e ort to gain the right to
vote. At the same time, women in the United
States were having their own su ragette
movement. The United Kingdom gained the
right for women to vote in 1928. The United
States passed the 19th Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution for women to vote on August 18, 1920. Montana, however, gave women the right to vote in 1914.
Refreshments will be available at the showing. Come enjoy the movie and support the Scholarship Fund that helps Flathead Valley students.
If you would like to be featured in the “Marquee,” email information to news@ atheadbeacon.com
The Original Spring
April 1, 2 & 3
Flathead County Fairgrounds - Trade Center Building
Friday 12-6 Saturday 9-6 Sunday 9-2
· Try the competitive shooting simulator · Chat with gun writer Mike Venturino
· Buy, Sell or Trade
For Information call David 471-0972
DOOR PRIZES GET BETTER EACH DAY!
Fri - 2016 Shooting membership
Sat - Ruger 10/22 carbine
Sun - Ruger American 9mm or 45 auto
$5 per day $10 all three days
Northwest Montana Arms Collectors Association nwmaca.wordpress.com
MARCH 30, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM
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