Creston Auction and Country Fair includes two auctions, plus art, crafts and baked goods.
The Creston Fire Department’s largest annual fundraiser is the Creston Auction & Country Fair, held every spring in the diminutive community east of Kalispell.
This fundraising benefit for Creston’s all-volunteer fire department is the largest spring event in Montana, the Northwest and Canada, drawing thousands of people from across the region to shop for deals and mingle with friends and neighbors.
The 53rd Annual Creston Auction & Country Fair is this Saturday, April 6, and the accompanying RV, Marine, Auto, Farm, Construction and Equipment Sale is Sunday, April 7, at the school and auction grounds, located 12 miles east of Kalispell on MT Hwy 35.
Consignment Day is 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, April 5. As a consignment-based event, Creston Fire Department only receives a percentage of the amount for which each item is sold. The remaining money goes to the person who brought the item to the auction, unless the consignor decides to donate the item and give the entire sale amount to the fire department.
Commission rates are no more than 28%, with lower rates for higher-selling items. All commissions and proceeds go back to the community in the form of training and equipment for the fire department. All donations are tax deductible. Bid tickets will also be sold on Friday.
The Opening Ceremony gets underway at 9 a.m. Saturday and is immediately followed by the general merchandise auction. In addition to the auction, attendees can purchase locally made art and handicrafts, pick up smaller items in the rummage sale, and sample homemade goods from the bake sale. Hot food and beverages are available for purchase all day. Bid tickets go on sale at 7 a.m.
The Vehicle and Equipment sale begins at 11 a.m. Sunday (bid tickets go on sale at 9 a.m.).
There is no entrance fee for the auction. Bid tickets cost $5 on Saturday and $10 on Sunday, and contribute directly toward auction security for the weekend.
Hot and cold food items are available for purchase at both Saturday and Sunday auctions as well as non-alcoholic beverages, including water. There are baked goods available for purchase on Saturday in the Creston School Gym and outside on the auction grounds near the bid ticket window.
For more information, call 406-250-7396, email Gloria Graves at [email protected], or write to Creston Auction, 4498 MT Hwy 35, Kalispell, MT 59901. Information is also available through the Creston Auction page on Facebook.