Bearfootin’ Bear Auction Virtual Bidding Now Open 

bears lined up at the courthouse for the auction

Bearfootin’ Bear Auction Virtual Bidding Now Open 

HENDERSONVILLE, NC - Bidding for the 2023 Bearfootin’ Art Walk bears begins virtually on September 21 and continues until October 21 at 6pm.  

After three years of hosting the Bearfootin’ Auction virtually, the Friends of Downtown Hendersonville will continue with a virtual bidding format this year. Bidders will be able to participate in the auction remotely and even submit bids via text message over the course of 30 days.  

To celebrate the final hours of the auction, the public is invited to a countdown event on October 21 at the Historic Courthouse Square on Main Street from 4:30pm until 6pm. Attendees and bidders will meet the bears while enjoying live music and refreshments available for purchase from Mini Batch Bakery. The event hosts will guide participants through the evening, announcing incoming bids amid charming commentary and the opportunity to learn more about our local nonprofit beneficiaries for each bear. While there won’t be voice call bidding at the event, attendees will be able to bid live via cell phone and can ask for setup assistance at a designated registration table. 

How to bid: 

  1. Go to: https://www.accelevents.com/e/bearauction23 or downtownhendersonville.org. 
  2. Select bear and click "bid now.” 
  3. Bidders will enter name, cell phone, Credit card, email address and mailing address. 
  4. Bidders will make their desired bids, starting at $1,500 with a minimum bid of $100. A buy it now price is available for $10,000 and will automatically charge credit cards Bidders who wish to buy the bear in advance should contact info@downtownhendersonville.org to secure a buy-now bear to pay with check in order to avoid credit card fees.
  5. The auction software will send a text confirmation of bids and a notification if outbid. 
  6. On the final day of the auction, October 21, bidders will have until 6pm sharp to win their bear.

Leading up to the end of the auction, check out the 2023 bears stationed along Main Street where they can be visited in person and adored by tourists and residents alike.  

ABOUT THE BEARFOOTIN’ ART WALK PROGRAM 

Since 2003, the Bearfootin’ Art Walk has helped raise funding for Friends of Downtown Hendersonville (a 501c3 nonprofit) and a variety of local nonprofits. In addition to raising funds, the bears offer a window into good work being done by community organizations. The Bearfootin’ bears arrive as blank slates before local artists transform each into a spectacular fashion, with creative themes ranging from Mona Lisa to Blue Ridge Mountain scenery. After the “Reveal” event in early May, the bears then take up residence in downtown Hendersonville for the duration of the summer and fall, up until the auction. Winning bids up to $3,000 are split evenly between the Friends of Downtown Hendersonville and the nonprofit chosen by the sponsor, while bid amounts exceeding $3,000 are directed entirely to the nonprofit. The 2022 auction raised more than $140,000.  

 

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Image: The 2022 Bearfootin' Bears Auction benefitting nonprofits of Henderson County surpassed $100,000 to set a new record for funds raised. Photo credit: Juls Buckman

 

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