BELFAST, Maine — A would-be rock star will get his or her chance to spend some time in the spotlight, thanks to this weekend’s “Money Can’t Buy It” auction to benefit the non-profit Main Street Community Our Town Belfast.
For the second year in a row, businesses, individuals and groups have donated items and experiences that money normally just can’t buy — like the chance to sing back-up with popular local rock band The Hips.
“We just imagined that someone will pick their favorite Hips tune and come and practice with us and come and play it with us,” said singer Jen DeJoy. “It’s pure joy to share music with people … We thought it could be really fun for someone to sing with us. We started the band to have fun, and that’s what it’s all about. If this is something someone really wanted to do, we wanted to help them do it.”
Her band’s offering will join a slew of other things unique to Belfast, including the number one slot on the Rollie’s mug list; a catered dinner for eight in the historic, empty Opera House downtown; and several of the “Please, Be Seated” art benches that were placed around town throughout the summer.
“It’s a different spin on the traditional auction,” said Breanna Bebb, director of Our Town Belfast. “It’s definitely our biggest fund raiser for the year.”
Last year, the auction raised $5,000 for the nonprofit organization.
Bebb said that some of the items might be of interest to those who live outside of the Belfast area, too. Internationally-known raw food chef Matthew Kenney will be offering a raw food culinary class in his kitchen, for example. The most high-budget item will be a week’s stay in the summertime in a waterfront home near the Belfast Common. That item has a minimum $1,500 bid, according to Bebb.
“It’s quite a prize,” she said. “I’m very proud of our auction and how well it represents the character of our town and the people in it.”
The auction preview will begin at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at the American Legion Hall, with a silent auction of smaller donated objects from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and the regular auction beginning at 5:30 p.m. There will be a cash bar, live music and light refreshments. For more information, visit the website www.ourtownbelfast.org
While I applaud the generosity of whoever donated the stay at the waterfront home, I can’t imagine paying over $1,500 for a weeks stay there. I could understand if it was a fabulous mansion or elaborate home but I really can’t think of any that fit this criteria in the area surrounding Belfast Common. I already live in the area, as do most of those who will be bidding, so this item really doesn’t make much sense. I would be willing to bet it goes unsold. I think it’s a bit pretentious of the owner to demand a $1,500 reserve. Anyone who knows anything about auctions will tell you that items generally go for 50% or less of retail and actually much lower at charity auctions. For example, I got $500 worth of oil for $75 at a charity auction not too long ago, and that is a product that is in high demand vs. the week stay in Belfast. I could understand if it was a week in Aruba or the Bahamas, but I can’t see paying that to stay in my own backyard (so to speak).
The point of a charity auction is to raise money, not provide amazing deals on things. It’s not a matter of what the item is worth. In this price range, they are looking for someone with deeper pockets who has an interest in their cause. The home stay is just a nice bonus for the donor. If they do find the right bidder(s), I wouldn’t doubt if it goes for much more than the asking price.