The Creston Auction and Country Fair, April 1-3, is a sure sign spring has arrived in the Flathead Valley. A field is packed with the most unlikely treasures. Half a dozen auctions happen at once. Thousands of people donate, consign, and buy, as hundreds of volunteers make it all come together – all in support of one small, all-volunteer fire department.
The Creston Auction & Country Fair is the largest annual fundraiser for the Creston Fire Department and has been held in this small community 12 miles east of Kalispell on Hwy. 35 since 1966. The fire department’s crew of more than 30 volunteers rely heavily on this benefit to support them in responding to more than 440 calls this past year.
Calls have been steadily increasing, and Creston Fire has outgrown its 1960-era fire hall on Highway 35. The building barely houses modern fire apparatus, weekly training sessions for the volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians, and the department’s fundraising efforts. Land for a new station along the highway has been purchased and Creston Fire is in the on-going process of raising money for the construction of Station 251. All money raised for Creston Fire at this year’s Creston Auction will go into the fund for that project.
The Creston Auction takes place over three days. Here are some details for this year’s event:
- Friday, April 1, is Consignment Day and is the only day that consigned or donated items will be Items can be consigned, meaning a substantial portion of the sale price goes back to the seller, or donated, meaning all proceeds go to Creston Fire. Items will be accepted from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at the sale grounds in Creston.
- On Saturday, grounds open at 7 m. and the general merchandise auction kicks off at 9 a.m., following opening ceremonies. Bid tickets for Saturday cost $10 and go on sale at 7 a.m. Attendees can purchase locally made art and handcrafts, rummage sale items, homemade baked goods, and food from local vendors.
- The vehicle and equipment sale begins at 11 m. Sunday. The day’s $10 bid tickets go on sale at 9 a.m.
- There is no entrance fee and no buyers’ premium. Bid ticket revenue goes entirely toward paying for 24-hour security for the Bid tickets will also be available for purchase on Friday, April 1.
- For more info, call 406-250-7396, visit the website or find Creston Auction on Facebook.