Emma-web.jpgThe 20th annual Farmers Bowl Auction will be held Saturday, Sept. 17. The event is the grand finale to the Farmers Bowl festival that teams up Mayville State University with the community to celebrate the area’s agricultural way of life. Proceeds of the Farmers Bowl Auction are used to benefit Mayville State University and its students.

The Farmers Bowl Auction includes both silent and live auction events, and auction-goers will find a great variety of auction items on which to bid again this year. There are items that will be of interest to young and old, and there will be large- to small-ticket items … and everything in-between. Those who wish to make a smaller investment can participate in the “Gone Platinum” raffle, which is a tribute to the 20th anniversary of the auction. Participants will have a more than 50:50 chance of winning a prize. The raffle drawings for a $1,000 cash prize and for an original watercolor painting by Doug Anderson will take place during the auction event, as well.

Theme parties always go over big at the Farmers Bowl Auction. Mindy and Jay O’Connor, Sheri and Dennis Peterson, and Cheryl and Brad Angen are hosting a Trivial Pursuit progressive dinner that is sure to be a hit with trivia lovers. Tim O’Brien, the area’s most famous trivia man, will be providing the questions. The MSU Alumni Association board members will host an 80s Prom Party at the MSU Larson Center, where Lute and Paula Simley will provide the music. Chef Bryan Karolus will be cooking up a delicious prom party meal. The MSU baseball team will be hosts for a Vikings football watch party to be held at the Laurie Berry CHRISTian Home Sept. 18, when the Vikings meet the Packers in their home opener at U.S. Bank Stadium. In addition, there are parties at the Top Hat in Mayville and the Blue Line in Hatton.

Are you a sports fan? There will be lots of things for you at the auction. UND hockey fans will have opportunities to bid on three great packages that will get them into the seats at the Engelstad Arena. There are tickets to see the Fargo Force. How would you like to have a basketball theme quilt, orr a chance to road trip with the MSU men’s basketball team? Kids will love their night with the Lady Comets! The list of auction items includes numerous Mayville State, UND, and NDSU themed items.

The list goes on and on! There will be memorabilia from MSU’s historic Old Gym, household items, two half-hog packages, a patio set, a grill, a vintage bike, photo packages, a bed and breakfast getaway in Perham, Minn., hand-crafted items, toys for kids, artwork, and much more! You can see a preview of the auction catalog at www.mayvillestate.edu/farmersbowl.

“We are grateful to all who have donated items for the 2016 Farmers Bowl Auction,” said MSU Director of Alumni Affairs Beth Swenson. “People have been unbelievably generous, and we look forward to the auction where people will have the opportunity to see and purchase some wonderful items while supporting Mayville State University and its students. We encourage everyone to attend the auction. It will be a great time.”

The doors to the MSU Luckasen Room will open at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, when the silent auction begins. MSU Dining Services Director Bryan Karolus is offering up a few new items on the hors d’oeuvres buffet this year, including a hot dog and sausage bar. There will also be pulled pork sliders on pretzel rolls served, along with some of the traditional Farmers Bowl Auction menu items. The buffet opens at 5:30 p.m., and the excitement of the live auction will begin at 7 p.m., with Wayne Trottier calling the bids.

Admission tickets sell for $25 each and can be purchased online at www.mayvillestate.edu/farmersbowl or at May-Port Hardware Hank and the MSU Bookstore. All who purchase auction admission tickets will be entered into a drawing for a $500 cash prize, sponsored by Lindsey Brown of Pifer’s Auction and Realty. There will be a number of other door prizes given away as well.

Farmers Bowl 2016 will kick off with the “Farmers Bowl Field Frenzy” 5K run/walk, which begins at 8 a.m. in front of MSU’s Old Main. At 10 a.m., parade will start out north of the Goose River Bank and make its way down Main Street to MSU’s Jerome Berg Field. Everyone is invited to attend the corn and hot dog feed sponsored by the MSU Athletic Department. It begins right after the parade, just outside of Jerome Berg Field. A farmers market will also be held there at that time. The Farmers Bowl football game, featuring the Mayville State Comets versus the University of Wisconsin-Stout, begins at 1 p.m. at Jerome Berg Field.

For more information about Farmers Bowl, go to www.mayvillestate.edu/farmersbowl or call 701-788-4750.

Photo caption: Emma, one of the best-dressed dolls around, is one of many items that will be available for sale at the Farmers Bowl Auction on Sept. 17. This adorable 18” doll resembling the American Girl dolls comes with six handmade outfits, including the one she’s wearing. The outfits are complete with shoes and other accessories. Emma’s wardrobe was handmade by Marion Baker of Mayville, who donated the doll and her outfits.

See all the details about Farmers Bowl 2016.

Purchase your admission ticket for the Farmers Bowl Auction.

Purchase your ticket for the $1000 Cash Raffle.

Purchase your ticket for the Artwork Raffle.

See the live auction preview listing.

See the silent auction preview listing.