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Ursa major: Virtual bear auction beats last year's $$$ total

After several weeks of virtual bidding and a livestreamed finale, the 18th Annual Bearfootin’ Bear Auction ended Saturday with proceeds totaling $84,109 — a 49 percent increase over last year's take and a 78 percent increase over the 2018 total.

 


Each of the 20 bears brought in at least $2,000. The highest bid on any of the four-legged masterpieces was $9,000 for Thea, benefiting United Way of Henderson County. Three of the bears sold at the Buy Now option for $7,500, which was available through the Thursday leading up to the auction. A total of 72 bidders placed more than 220 bids throughout the auction period.

“We are overwhelmed with excitement and gratitude,” said Downtown Manager Jamie Carpenter. “It’s clear that the Bearfootin’ Bears are as beloved as ever, and we’re taking away a new perspective from the virtual version of this event for next year.”

Part of the proceeds from each bear benefit a designated local nonprofit. The first $3,000 of the winning bid is split with the organizing nonprofit, Friends of Downtown Hendersonville, to sustain the event and support the overall Downtown Program. Any amount above the first $3,000 goes entirely to the designated nonprofit (in other words, a maximum of $1,500 per bear will go towards Friends of Downtown Hendersonville).

The final hour of the auction was streamed live on Downtown Hendersonville’s Facebook page in a fun production that aimed to drive up bids on each bear and report ending results.

Applications to sponsor a 2021 bear are now open with a maximum of 20 bears available. For more information contact events coordinator Meredith Friedheim at mfriedheim@hvlnc.gov or 828-233-3205.