Around $70,000 worth of goods and services, 80 business booths, and more variety you could ever dream of – the Sooke Rotary Auction is back and promising to be bigger than ever.
Taking place on Saturday (April 29) from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., at the SEAPARC arena, the Rotary Auction will have a double theme this year: one for Canada’s 150th and another celebrating 30 years of Rotary in Sooke.
“It’s a monumental one,” said Roger Temple, who co-chairs the auction with fellow Rotarian Neil Flynn.
The opening ceremony is at 10 a.m. and will kick off with the Sooke Community Choir singing O Canada, along with a cake cutting. Following that, the silent auction runs until 5:30 p.m., followed by a live auction which starts at 6 p.m..
In the afternoon, there is also a free swim from 1 to 5 p.m., if you want to make a quick splash in the SEAPARC pool.
There’s no shortage of stuff to meander through, that’s for sure. Hot items include wood carvings, a quad, accommodations for hotels, inns and bed and breakfasts, lots of art work, paintings, clothing, as well as countless food options from all the food joints in town. On top of that, there are books, clothing, and plenty marine fishing stuff including two sets of downriggers, described by Temple as “in very good shape.”
For those looking to add some motion to their lives, don’t forget the 35 bikes for sale, which range anywhere from $30 to $200 depending on one’s budget and desire, and of a variety of classes: mountain, hybrid, cruiser, or BMX.
To quench all that bidding and buying thirst, some local distillers will be present from 2 to 8 p.m., featuring the Sheringham Distrillery, Sooke Oceanside Brewery, Tugwell Creek Meadery, as well as Divine Vinyards and Spirits.
“You can wonder around with a drink and make more donations on things,” Temple said, adding that there’s a bit of everything for everyone throughout the auction day.
“It’s a day of excitement, it’s a day of deals, and you can meet a lot of people,” he said. “There are 80 businesses that have booths as well, so you can see first-hand the businesses in the area.”
Proceeds from the auction go towards the Rotary’s community programs locally and internationally, helping locals, provide scholarships and build projects such as the John Muir Elementary school gardens.