The 21st annual Orr's and Bailey Islands Fire Department auction and yard sale will be held on August 9 and 10 on Orr's Island.
The weekend will feature a giant yard sale, silent auction and food on Saturday and Sunday and a live auction of antiques, art, collectibles and other items on Sunday. It will be held at the Orr’s Island Fire Station, 1600 Harpswell Islands Road, Route 24.
The auction and sale has become a treasured community event, typically attracting large crowds, and is considered one of the highlights of the summer on the islands.
“This has become an island institution,” said OBIFD Fire Chief Ed Blain, one of the auction organizers. “We look forward to seeing familiar faces who have supported us for the past two decades as well as people coming for the first time.“
The yard sale will run from 8 a.m. to at least 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The live auction will begin Sunday at 10 a.m., with preview and registration beginning at 9 a.m. A silent auction of donated goods and services will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday.
Items sold at the event are donated by area residents throughout the year. The most unique and valuable pieces are typically sold at the auction, though many surprises and treasures can be found in the yard sale, which is held on the grounds around the fire station and inside the adjacent historic Orr's Island Schoolhouse.
“There is truly something to be found for everyone, if not just seeing the delight on the faces of winning bidders or discoveries in the yard sale or among the schoolhouse collectibles,” Blain said.
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Blain said other items include a number of high-end antique pieces, including lamps, desks, bureaus and dining room furniture, along with other unique collectibles.
As usual, there will be several boats for sale, including multiple skiffs, a 14-foot boat with a motor and trailer, canoes, kayaks, and at least one paddle board. More boats are also expected to come in before the auction.
“Another flotilla looks to be available for sure,” Blain said.
Anyone looking for a new bicycle will also find many choices this year.
“We have more bikes than ever, including some high-end reproductions, street bikes, off-road bikes and bikes sized for every member of the family,” Blain said.
The auction will also feature many surprise and unique items, including locally baked pies which are typically sold for hundreds of dollars to support the fire department scholarship fund and other needs.
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| Concrete gargoyle up for auction. |
The yard sale held in the adjacent schoolhouse, on the lawn and in two big tents out back will offer a wide range of household goods, bric-a-brac, holiday decorations, small antiques and toys.
The silent auction will feature gift certificates donated by area businesses, including restaurants, motels, local fishermen and shops, offering meals, automotive and marine supplies and services, jewelry, art and clothing, home and garden supplies and services, personal care and health supplies and services, recreation opportunities and many more.
Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be offered for sale on both days. The breakfast menu includes made-to-order sandwiches and bakery items, while lunch features grilled hot and sweet sausages, hamburgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese sandwiches, nachos with cheese, soft pretzels, other snacks, beverages and deserts.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Orr's & Bailey Islands Fire Department, which provides fire and rescue services on Orr's and Bailey Islands and portions of Great Island east of the Mountain Road bridge and south of Stevens Corner Road on Route 24. All money raised goes to support the fire and rescue operations and for training to better serve the community.
Donations are still needed for the auction and yard sale. Items may be dropped off at the Orr's Island fire station from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays through August 2, or call Blain at 833-5199 to arrange for another time or schedule a pickup of donations by fire department volunteers
For more information about the fire department or volunteering, visit www.obifd.org
