Silent auction has become a tradition for Gilford Old Home Day

By THOMAS P. CALDWELL, LACONIA DAILY SUN

GILFORD — Ski area lift tickets, wine-tastings and gift certificates to family attractions are among the items up for bid in the Gilford Community Church’s silent auction this weekend.

The church and the Gilford Youth Center will be holding their annual summer fair in conjunction with Gilford’s Old Home Day celebration this weekend, offering everything from white elephant items to lodging.

Sue Allen, who initiated the silent auction in 2006 and continues to head up the effort today, said the response this year has exceeded expectations, with a lot more furniture donations than ever before. The response has been so great that the church decided not to cut off donations at the beginning of the week.

Originally taking place in the church parking lot off Potter Hill Road, the event moved inside after the Youth Center was built.

The fair will open on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and continue from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

The Gilford Rotary Club’s pancake breakfast will kick off Saturday’s activities, running from 7 to 10 a.m., with proceeds going to the Cheryl Lynn Walsh Scholarship Fund.

Among the items to be offered during the silent auction are a fire pit and outdoor chairs from Lowe’s; a holiday dinner for 10 at Church Landing; a one-day pontoon boat rental from Fay’s Boat Yard; a $100 gift certificate from Cascade Spa; one-night stays at Church Landing, Marriott Towne Place Suites, and Snowy Owl Inn & Resort; golf at Owl’s Nest Resort and Golf Club or Pheasant Ridge, Lochmere, or Loudon Country Club; lift tickets to Waterville Valley and Gunstock; gift certificates to Storyland, Canobie Lake Park, Clark’s Trading Post, and the Hobo Railroad; and wine-tasting at Hermit Woods, among other items.

There also will be gift baskets prepared by members of the congregation.

Other items include computer tables, coffee tables, chairs, and even an antique fireplace screen.

“There are some wonderful items that would be perfect for a cottage at the lake or a child going off to college,” Allen said.

Once the silent auction ends at 2 p.m., successful bidders will be notified, and they will be able to pick up the items until 5 p.m., or after church on Sunday. Items also may be picked up from the church office during the week.

Allen said it takes lots of volunteers to put on the fair, and planning for the silent auction began in June. The church’s diaconate committee helps to solicit items for the sale.

Also during the fair, Rick Hopper will be acting as DJ to provide musical entertainment.

The white elephant tables will include household items, jewelry, and books, while other offerings during the fair include baked goods and ice cream sandwiches. Fried dough will be available on Saturday, and a chuck wagon will offer hamburgers, hot dogs, and drinks.

The theme of this year’s Old Home Day celebration is “Celebrating Small Town America” and a parade will step out on Saturday at 10 a.m. Afterward, there will be musical entertainment by Matt Langley and Jon Lorentz, the Gilford Community Band, and the Eric Grant Band, with a performance by children’s entertainer Steve Blunt.

There will be games for all ages, along with crafts and dancing, and fireworks at dusk.

The majority of the activities for Old Home Day will take place at the Gilford Village Field.

Drexel cherry chairs dating from 1965-67 will be offered during the Gilford Community Church's silent auction on Saturday. (Courtesy Photo)

An antique fireplace screen from the early 1900s is among the items to be offered at the Gilford Community Church's annual silent auction during Old Home Day on Saturday. (Courtesy Photo)