DALLAS — Nearly 250 volunteers are expected to converge on the Back Mountain Memorial Library grounds to help with the 72nd annual auction July 5-8, according to auction co-chairs Pat and Bill Peiffer.
The Back Mountain Memorial Library Auction is more than just a fundraiser for the organization, but a unique community endeavor which, without the large number of volunteers who help set up, operate the various booths and clean up the grounds, would have never endured 72 years, said Martha Butler, library director.
“It is more than an event,” Butler said, describing the niche the auction holds for the community.
“People schedule their vacations around the auction to help out,” Bill said. “It is more like a community reunion than an event.”
The Back Mountain Memorial Library Auction opens at 5 p.m. every night from Thursday, July 5 to Sunday, July 8 at 96 Huntsville Road.
Bidding begins at 6:30 p.m. each night.
A shuttle service provided by G. Davis Bus Company will transport attendees from Thomas’ Family Market in the Country Club Shopping Center off Route 309 in Dallas Township to the library starting at 4 p.m.
Also, a bus will be available to accommodate disabled individuals, PatPeiffer said.
Before the fun ensues, though, a lot of work needs to be done.
On Sunday, July 1, volunteers, which include members of Boy Scout Troop 281, incoming Wilkes University freshmen, civic groups, community members and businesses, will join forces and roll up their sleeves to start the four-day auction set-up process.
“Fifty-one weeks out of the year it is quiet on these streets,” Bill Peiffer said. “It is transformed into a busy hub by volunteers.”
Boy Scout Troop 281 of Dallas will have an estimated 30 Scouts and 20 adult volunteers helping to set up tents, Assistant Scoutmasters Randy Perry and Aric Gingo said in a prior interview with the Dallas Post.
Scouts will carry merchandise out of the library basement to designated areas, assist during the auction, dismantle tents and move unsold inventory back to the library at the end of the four-day affair.
“Without the Boy Scouts, we could not have the auction,” Pat Peiffersaid. “They are just amazing.”
Volunteers are still being sought and can either call the library at 570-675-1182 or show up on a setup day, Butler said.
Auction events
The brother and sister team of Bill and Pat Peiffer, along with their auction committees, have the following events planned for the 2018 auction:
• Thursday, July 5, is Family Night featuring a Children’s Interest Auction from 8 to 8:30 p.m.
Also, children can decorate a cupcake at the Bake Sale Tent, Pat said.
• Friday, July 6, a juggler is slated from 6 to 7 p.m. and P.J. Reptiles from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Both events are in Children’s Library, accessible through the rear entrance of the auction grounds.
• From 7:30 to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, a Women’s Interest Auction is planned.
• From 8:30 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, a Men’s Interest Auction is slated.
• Saturday, July 7, from 6 to 7 p.m., Endless Dream Animals, featuring a variety of animals for children to meet. At 7:30 p.m., children are invited to read to therapy dogs in the Children’s Library. Guests should use the library’s rear entrance from the auction grounds.
• Sunday, July 8, families are invited to learn Balloon Sculpture from 6 to 7 p.m. Children can also make a mess at Slime Time from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Children’s Library. Attendees should use the library’s rear entrance from the auction grounds.
The auction will also feature its staples such as the Odds and Ends Tent, the Toy Tent, Jewelry Tent, Nearly Olde Tent and the Plant Tent.
A variety of food vendors are scheduled to attend, such as Cibo’s Food Truck, Yogi’s Potato Pancakes, The Lands at Hillside Farms, Nice’s Almonds and Country Girl Kettle Corn.
Chef John Hudak will operate the food concession stand.
Diamonds by Kate will sell apple pies, apple pie a la mode, sticky buns and rice pudding.
Other vendors include Earth and Wears selling handcrafted pottery, jewelry and other items; Pure Suds, offering a selection of homemade bath soaps, salts and balms; Wood Shed Outback, a wood crafter, to name a few.
And let’s not forget the star of the event — the auction itself.
Check back with The Dallas Post on July 1 for an auction preview.
