A Bargain Hunter’s Destination: Check Out The Kiwanis Auction Fri/Sat

For more than 70 years the Orono-Old Town Kiwanis Club has held a massive outdoor end-of-summer yard sale. Then Covid came along, and as it did with all things, it forced the Kiwanis Club to cancel this traditional event.

This year, however, it's coming back, and by all accounts, this year's event is already shaping up to be a good one.

According to their Facebook Page, the Auction will take place this weekend.

"Our 2022 Annual Kiwanis Auction/Yard Sale is August 26th@5pm-Close and August 27th@5pm-Close. We look forward to seeing you!"

Each year, the auction takes place at the Kiwanis Building located at 168 Forest Avenue in Orono.

Co-Chair Mark Bilyk with the Orono-Old Town Kiwanis, says they have revamped the event to start a little later in the day than in years past, and they're condensing things into two days instead of spreading them out through the entire weekend.

Speaking from experience, this is one of those situations where you'll want to plan to be there early, as there's usually a ton of stuff to go through and look at. In years past, the folks from the Kiwanis have managed to fill upwards of a handful of barns and structures on the property to the brim.

With everything from household items and toys to bikes and books, to appliances and sports equipment; if you're looking for a good bargain, this is definitely a place you'll want to check out.

As stated in the name, there is an auction component to the event, but Bilyk states that the other half of the event runs more like a yard sale.

Bilyk says they even have a few surprised planned for this year.

And you can feel good about what you end up purchasing, as the Orono-Old Town Kiwanis Auction serves as the one major fundraisers for the organization, which then uses the proceeds to help give scholarships to local kids and support charitable and children's organizations in the community.

Bilyk says that this event can pull in anywhere between $30K and $60K per year.

Aside from a good bargain, it's also a place where you will most likely bump into someone you haven't seen in a long while. It always happens to me. So enjoy the bargain, the company, and the weekend. Make sure to make room in your car for the treasures you're bound to find. And plan to head over early, to take advantage of all the keen deals.

And if you have items you'd like to donate to the cause, you can call (207) 866-4816 and leave a message.