Bearfootin' Art Walk

Since 2003, the Bearfootin' Art Walk has helped raise funds for Friends of Downtown Hendersonville and a variety of local nonprofits. The bears showcase the community's talented artists, as well as provide a window into the good work being done by nonprofits and community organizations in Henderson County. 

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. The Friends continued the same bidding layout in 2021 with an added in-person event, and funds raised surpassed $100,000! 

For the 2022 Auction, the Downtown Events Team and Staff are incorporating the same virtual bidding format with an in-person event as in 2021. All bidding will be virtual and will start on September 13, 2022, continuing over the course of a month. Bidding will come to a close with an in-person celebration on Saturday, October 15 from 4-6pm, with all bidding closing at 6pm. The in-person event is open to the public and will take place at the Historic Courthouse Plaza in downtown Hendersonville.

1. All bidding will occur virtually via the auction website. There will be no in-person bidding. All bidding ends at 6pm EST on October 15, 2022.
2. Bidding begins on September 13, 2022. It’s free to register, and you can bid anytime between September 13 and the deadline at 6pm on October 15. All initial bids will take place via the website. Once you've begun bidding, you will have the ability to submit additional bids via text message. Bidders will receive automatic text notification if they are outbid with the option to submit a new bid.  
3. There will be an outdoors, in-person Auction Celebration on October 15 from 4-6pm at the Historic Courthouse Plaza on the 100 block of Main Street in downtown Hendersonville. The event will have a lively atmosphere with bells and cheers at each incoming bid. 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 a registration booth to help attendees get registered and begin bidding if they have not already registered ahead of time.
4. There will be no proxy bidding. Bidders will receive automatic text notification if they are outbid with the option to submit a new bid. There is no option for reserve/proxy bids, meaning you can’t set a price that the system will automatically bid for you. If you are outbid, you will need to place a higher bid if you wish to continue.   
5. Starting bids for all bears will be $1,500 and minimum bid increments are $100.  
6. Any bear can be purchased ahead of the bidding deadline at our "Buy Now" price of $10,000. The "Buy Now" option ends Thursday, October 13 at 5 p.m. 
   Please note: If you are interested in purchasing a bear using the BUY NOW function, please note that it WILL charge your credit card immediately. If you do not wish to pay via credit card, please contact info@downtownhendersonville.org ASAP and we will arrange payment options.
7. Bidders do not have to attend the in-person event to be a winning bidder, but winning bidders are encouraged to pick up their the evening of October 15. 
8. Winning bidders will be contacted regarding payment and picking up their bear via text and email. Bears can be picked up at the event, or during a scheduled “pick up window” the week following the event. Winners have 5 days to pay or they will be automatically charged on the credit card filed. Alternatively, winners can pay with cash or check. There will be a 2.95% processing fee on all credit card transactions.