Clean out the garage, empty the closets: It’s time for the Creston Fire Department’s largest annual fundraiser, the Creston Auction and Country Fair, April 6-8 in Creston, 12 miles east of Kalispell on Hwy. 35.
Held each year since 1966, this 52nd annual benefit is one of Montana’s largest outdoor sales, attended by thousands from the region and Canada.
Last year’s auction netted more than $47,000 for the all-volunteer fire department. This year, all money raised for the Creston Fire Department (CFD) at the auction will go into the building fund for a new fire station.
The CFD has been serving the area since the late 1950s, and currently has 37 volunteer firefighters and EMTs, plus a strong associate member support group. The department owns eight fully equipped engines as well as a command vehicle, housed in stations at Creston, Lake Blaine, Mountain Brook, and Fairmont-Egan. In addition to firefighting equipment, these engines carry a full array of emergency medical equipment including defibrillators.
The fire department also has a medical and firefighter training facility at its Lake Blaine Station. All CFD members are required to attend a minimum of 36 hours of training each year including adult, infant and child CPR, obstructed airway and automatic external defibrillator use. Many members attend between 100 and 200 hours of training annually.
Consignment Day, Friday, April 6
Merchandise will be accepted from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at the sale grounds. This is the only day that consigned and donated items will be accepted. New this year: Bid tickets for Saturday and Sunday may be purchased all day.
General Merchandise Auction, Saturday, April 7
Grounds open at 7 a.m., with opening ceremonies at 9 a.m. Bid tickets for Saturday cost $5. Attendees may also purchase locally made art and handcrafts, rummage-sale items, homemade baked goods and hot food and drinks.
RV, Marine, Auto and Equipment Sale: Sunday, April 8
The sale begins at 11 a.m. The day’s $10 bidding tickets go on sale at 9 a.m.
The fees for bidding tickets go solely to providing 24-hour security for the weekend. There is no buyer’s premium; your winning bid is what you pay.
For more information, call 406-250-7396, visit www.crestonfire.org or head to Creston Auction on Facebook.