Annual Blueberry Festival benefit auction on March 10

IMLAY CITY — The annual Blueberry Festival Auction will be held at Countryside Banquet Center, located at 596 S. Cedar St., on Saturday, March 10. The event is sponsored by the Imlay City Area Chamber of Commerce and is the largest fundraising activity for the 32nd annual Blueberry Festival to be held August 3-4 this year.

A wide range of items have already been donated to the auction. For example, a women’s ski jacket from the Bogner Corporation, valued at $1,200, and an exquisite women’s jewelry set by local artist Julie Watterson will go to the highest bidder during the live auction. Also donated; a Focus Studio portrait package valued at $300, an iPad 2 from Lapeer County Bank & Trust and four tickets to a production at Meadow Brook Theater. For those that prefer the outdoors, two lift tickets to Crystal Mountain Ski Resort and a tandem skydive opportunity from Dr. Clif Clendenan have also been donated. Again this year, Brian Rowley will have auctioneer duties.

“Our community and area businesses have always been very generous and supportive of the auction and the Blueberry Festival and this year is no exception,” executive director of the Imlay City Area Chamber of Commerce, Dana Dunlop, said.

Tickets to attend the auction are $5 and are now available at the Chamber office, located at 150 N. Main St., or at the doors the night of March 10. The price of admission includes appetizers and a chance of winning a door prize valued at $300. A cash bar will be available. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., live auction to start at 7:30 p.m.

Individuals or businesses wishing to donate to the auction are encouraged to contact the Chamber office at 810-724-1361. A complete list of donors can be found on the Chamber’s website, www.imlaycitymich.com.

“We hope to see the community come out and support the auction and of course, have some fun,” Dunlop continued.