Auctions
Bid, buy, and support local talent at our exciting county fair auctions! Cheer on future farmers showcasing their top livestock during the Livestock Auction. Craving delicious treats? Don't miss the Baked Goods Auction, brimming with delectable homemade goodies. And for unique treasures, explore our Inanimates Silent Auction, where you can bid on handcrafted wonders and one-of-a-kind creations. There's something for everyone at our auction extravaganza!
Livestock Auction
Our county fair culminates in a heartwarming tradition – the livestock auction. This event provides an opportunity for youth who have diligently raised meat animals to showcase their hard work and dedication. The auction allows them to recoup some of the financial investment poured into caring for their animals, while also contributing directly to these young agriculturalists' futures. The buyer also receive high-quality meat, often processed locally. In some cases, these entities may choose to donate the meat to a charitable organizations.
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We warmly invite local businesses to participate in this rewarding program, fostering the next generation of farmers and enriching our community's agricultural heritage.
As a token of appreciation, each winning bidder receives a special thank you gift basket prepared by the exhibitors, and a photo of exhibitor with their animal, it's a delightful way to commemorate their contribution to this valuable program.
Bid high, bid low, watch the gavel go!
Support our youth at the livestock auction.
Baked Goods Auction
On Saturday at 10am during fair week, tantalize your taste buds and support our rising stars at the Youth Baked Goods Auction! This mouthwatering event features delectable creations crafted by our talented young exhibitors. Each participant is limited to one entry, pouring their passion and baking skills into a single masterpiece.
By placing your bid, you'll not only treat yourself to a delicious homemade dessert, jerky, or jam, but also directly invest in the future of our local youth. And as a token of appreciation, each winning bidder will receive a special thank you gift basket prepared by the young exhibitor.
Every treat is a testament to the hard work and dedication of these cooks and bakers, making your winning bid a win for your taste buds. So come hungry and bid generously!
Silent Auction
Our inanimate barn at the fairgrounds will be transformed into a treasure trove of creativity with the Inanimates Silent Auction available for the public to bid on throughout the fair week! This heartwarming event showcases the handcrafted talents of our youth and adult exhibitors. From meticulously crafted woodwork and charming quilts and stunning photography, each piece represents the dedication and skill poured into their fair projects.
By participating in the Silent Auction, you not only acquire a one-of-a-kind treasure, but also directly support the future of our community. These handcrafted items offer a unique chance to invest in the talents and passions of our young artisans and makers, making your bid a win-win for everyone!
LIVESTOCK AUCTION RULES
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The respective superintendents and judges will determine auction sale order.
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All exhibitors who sell livestock at the auction should send out invitations to prospective buyers inviting them to attend and bid at the auction. Invitations should be signed by the exhibitor and can describe how the animal was raised by the exhibitor, as well as relevant information about the quality of the livestock being auctioned.
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All market livestock will pay a commission to the Livestock Committee: Beef 4%, Swine and Sheep 5%, Small Animals 5%, Baked Goods 5% and Add-a-Bids 5%.
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Checks will be issued for all auction sale animals.
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Prices paid above market rate for livestock may be deductible as an advertising contribution. It is advised that prospective buyers discuss this with their tax advisor first.
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All exhibitors of live animals in the auction ring must dress in their regular show attire so as to be able to exhibit their animals in a safe and secure fashion. Any items of clothing or decorations which impede the exhibitors’ vision, hearing, or mobility or which may distract the exhibited animal will not be allowed.
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Add-a-Bid forms will be available online and the evening of the large animal auction and only the current year forms will be accepted. The Add-a-Bid process may be mentioned in letters sent to potential buyers. Add-A-Bid forms will be available July 1st at www.muskegonfairgrounds.com. Add-A-Bids accepted up to three weeks from close of fair. There will be a 5% processing fee withheld from all Add-a-Bids. These funds will be used to help facilitate future Fairs. In the event of documented abuse of this program, the Livestock Committee retains the right to take action which may result in probation or being expelled from the Muskegon County Fair. Market animals are eligible to receive Add-a-Bids; baked goods do qualify. Explorers are eligible to receive Add-a-Bids for baked goods.
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A buyer may choose to donate the resale value of their purchase to a selected Food Bank that will be available on the Auction Invoice. The animal will be sold at the Ravenna Livestock Auction after leaving the Fair. The check will be made payable to MCLD and mailed to the committee treasurer. Food will be purchased and delivered to the selected Food Bank. A final report will be sent to the original buyer.
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All market livestock are required to have photos taken at designated location and time. Photo fee is deducted from livestock exhibitor’s auction check.
YOUTH SILENT AUCTION RULES
Superintendent: Lori Stevens (231) 288-0864
Email: lstevens124@hotmail.com
The Auction is open to youth members 5 years old and over and Open Community Exhibitors with inanimate projects.
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The 4-H Leaders Council voted on January 8, 2001 and the Fair Board voted on January 16, 2001, that the Silent Auction is an auction of its own entity. Since the payment will not be handled through the Youth Auction, it is not to be combined with the livestock or the baked goods auction. The Silent Auction will have a 1-item auction limit for all Youth members and open community exhibitors regardless of other auctions. Items from Youth Culinary Arts (Dept 13 Division 2) – Canning and preserving are eligible for the silent auction as long as all requirements are met. These items can only be entered in one of the auctions, the baked goods auction or the silent auction, and must be selected on fair entry by the registration due date.
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Youth must be 5 years old or older to be able to sell your inanimate project.
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Youth projects must be entered in Fair Entry in its appropriate category, and also entered in fair entry as a silent auction item. All items must be judged prior to being entered into the silent auction.
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Members and open community exhibitors must register the inanimate item they wish to sell at the Silent Auction at the registration table after it has been judged.
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Youth members 5 years old and older must fill out a project sheet available on the fair website: www.muskegonfairgrounds.com by explaining how the inanimate project is made, cost of making, time spent on project, and what they might do differently next time. This is to be turned in at time of registration.
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Each inanimate project will be given an item # on a tag to be placed on project. The project will then be placed in the silent auction booth with tag for identification. This will be given at the time of registration.
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Each participant must sign up for 1-2 hours to help with the bidding table. All open community entering projects into the silent auction must sign up for one hour of volunteer time at the bidding table.
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Hours of the auction will be: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. The Auction will close at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
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All silent auction items are to stay in the Inanimate Building in the silent auction booth until the official release time. Once the auction closes, the youth exhibitor needs to come to the inanimate building to get the name of the winning bidder. They will reach out within one (1) hour to the winning bidder and make arrangements to collect the bid by 5:00 pm. This will prevent the youth from having to take the item home and trying to make arrangements outside of fair.
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A responsible adult must oversee the transaction of the individual youth members to contact the highest bidder and to deliver the project to them. This is to protect the youth members from any possible harm or harassment. The bid sheet will be picked up with your project at release time. Open class exhibitors under 19 years of age, supervision for transaction is to be by a responsible adult.
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Payment arrangement will be made at the discretion of the Buyer and Seller.
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The seller has the right to refuse the last bid and not sell his or her project.
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The seller must make their transaction within one week of the auction closing date.