Southport Firemen’s Auction returns after one-year absence
Since 1993, Gerry Gamage has been the auctioneer at the annual Southport firemen’s fundraiser. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
Southport firemen arrived early Aug. 20 to operate the morning yard sale which precedes the annual auction. From left, front are Jeff Brown, Bruce Joule, Steven Gaudette and Rob Cronk; back, Bruce Harris, Peter Cole and John Smith. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
Southport fireman Smith Climo assists a customer at the annual fundraiser. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
A pair of bikes were among nearly 500 different items sold Aug. 21 during the Southport Firemen’s Auction. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
The Southport Firemen’s Auction on Aug. 21 ranged from a 1971 Lincoln to this set of drawers. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
Auction bids were made using cards to identify prospective buyers with an item during the Aug. 21 Southport Firemen’s Auction. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
If you are looking for an oversized rug, the Southport Firemen’s Auction was the place to be on Aug. 21. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
This sled was one of nearly 500 items sold at the Southport Firemen’s Auction on Aug. 21. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
Southport Central School employees and volunteers sold a variety of baked goods and foods Aug. 21 during the annual firemen’s auction and yard sale. From left are Nick Ullo, Robbie Watts, Kim Burnham, Casey Martin and Lisa Clarke. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
Howard Wright waits patiently for the Southport Firemen’s Auction to begin on Aug. 21. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
In Adam Climo’s 31 years, he has attended the annual Southport Firemen’s Auction every time. This year, he brought wife Eden and 11-month-old son Griffin. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
Looking over the yard sale offerings. Mike Leonard photo
A large crowd at the auction. Mike Leonard photo
Since 1993, Gerry Gamage has been the auctioneer at the annual Southport firemen’s fundraiser. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
Southport firemen arrived early Aug. 20 to operate the morning yard sale which precedes the annual auction. From left, front are Jeff Brown, Bruce Joule, Steven Gaudette and Rob Cronk; back, Bruce Harris, Peter Cole and John Smith. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
Southport fireman Smith Climo assists a customer at the annual fundraiser. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
A pair of bikes were among nearly 500 different items sold Aug. 21 during the Southport Firemen’s Auction. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
The Southport Firemen’s Auction on Aug. 21 ranged from a 1971 Lincoln to this set of drawers. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
Auction bids were made using cards to identify prospective buyers with an item during the Aug. 21 Southport Firemen’s Auction. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
If you are looking for an oversized rug, the Southport Firemen’s Auction was the place to be on Aug. 21. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
This sled was one of nearly 500 items sold at the Southport Firemen’s Auction on Aug. 21. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
Southport Central School employees and volunteers sold a variety of baked goods and foods Aug. 21 during the annual firemen’s auction and yard sale. From left are Nick Ullo, Robbie Watts, Kim Burnham, Casey Martin and Lisa Clarke. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
Howard Wright waits patiently for the Southport Firemen’s Auction to begin on Aug. 21. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
In Adam Climo’s 31 years, he has attended the annual Southport Firemen’s Auction every time. This year, he brought wife Eden and 11-month-old son Griffin. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
Looking over the yard sale offerings. Mike Leonard photo
A large crowd at the auction. Mike Leonard photo
In 1971, Steve Gaudette was a 21-year-old, first year volunteer fireman participating in his first Southport Firemen’s Auction. Now he is in charge of the annual yard sale which runs in conjunction with the annual auction now in its 65th year. Each auction and yard sale have a familiar format, one which includes donations, sales, volunteerism and a strong sense of community.
For Gaudette, all of these factors are important in the event’s success each year and keep people coming back. “This is our only fundraiser of the year. It helps us buy equipment for the department which saves the town money,” he said. “The whole community gets involved which makes it fun, and why we all participate every year.”
Fire Chief and part-time auctioneer Gerry Gamage reported the annual auction has raised over $500,000 since it began in the mid-1950s. In 1990, the auction was renamed to honor longtime fireman Carl Pierce. Gaudette described the yard sale as smaller scale items like tea cups, bowls and plates. The auction had larger items like couches, table and chairs and a 1971 Lincoln which brought the highest bid, $2,100.
Gamage welcomed the public to the auction and thanked them for returning after a one-year absence due to the coronavirus. Each year, the auction draws a big crowd of local and summer residents and others from the surrounding region. Adam Climo is an island resident who returned home this year after living in Cincinnati, Ohio. At 31, Climo proudly reported he has been to 31 Southport Firemen’s Auctions. This year, he attended with his wife Eden and an 11-month-old son, Griffin. The Climos made three trips to the yard sale Aug. 21 prior to attending the auction.
“We just bought a fan for $1,” Adam Climo said. “Earlier, we bought some oars, weights, yoga mat and a baby life jacket. W e love every aspect of the auction. Probably because it’s more like a festival than anything else.”
This year, the auction sold nearly 500 items, according to Gamage.
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