Bearfootin' Art Walk & Auction 2021

The 2021 Bears are currently stationed along Main Street until the auction in October. Check out our 2021 Bearfootin' Bears!

Until 2020, the Bearfootin' auctions were hosted in traditional style with a live auctioneer. Then, in response to the pandemic, Friends of Downtown Hendersonville pivoted to a virtual format for the 2020 auction. The virtual bidding format allowed people to bid over the course of a month until a scheduled bidding cutoff. This turned out to be a big success, with the 2020 auction raising more than $84,000. 

For the 2021 Auction, the Downtown Events Team and Friends of Downtown Hendersonville staff are incorporating the virtual bidding format with an in-person event. Bidding starts on September 15, 2021. Bidding will come to a close with an exciting in-person event on October 16 from 4-6:30pm, with all bidding closing at 6pm.

There will be an in-person countdown celebration on October 16 from 4-6:30 pm on the outdoor plaza at the Historic Train Depot at 650 Maple Street. The event will have a lively atmosphere with bells and cheers at each incoming bid, as well as live music, beer/wine and food trucks. The event is free and open to the public. While there will be no in-person bidding at the event, attendees can bid live via their cell phone. There will be an event information booth to help attendees get registered and begin bidding.

 It’s free to register to bid, and you can bid anytime between September 15 and the deadline at 6pm on October 16. Initial bids will take place via the bidding website. Bidders will receive automatic text message notification if they are outbid with the option to submit a new bid directly via text message.  All bidding will occur virtually. There will be no in-person bidding.