Shopper's Treasures at Minnesota Farm Auctions
Throughout the State, Sales Feature Antiques, Ethnic Items, Kitsch
Jul 24, 2009
According to antiques dealers, it’s hard to find bargains these days unless you go to Middle America. And even there, picking up treasures in antiques shops without spending a fortune isn’t easy. The happiest hunting grounds, the experts say, are farm auctions such as you’ll find in places like Minnesota.
That’s because people seem to stay more firmly rooted there. Live in the same house all their married life. Maybe the house one of them grew up in. Inherit the furnishings along with the house. Same utensils in the kitchen, same pictures on the walls as when Grandma and Grandpa lived there back in 1935.
Pre-Auction Crowds Inspect Items for Sale
At the typical auction, crowds arrive early to inspect the rows of merchandise for sale. When the auction gets started, they gather around a hay wagon piled high. Ice saws. Old floor lamps. Stoneware crocks. Antique picture frames and horse tethers jumbled together with cardboard boxes full of kitchen dishes and household miscellany. Standing on the wagon bed, midst the family’s lifetime accumulation, the auctioneer entreats, chides, cajoles, convinces his audience. “You’re going to be mad with yourself all day tomorrow.” “Boys, you couldn’t find a sweeter deal.” “Surprise the missus, friend.” “Were you bidding, or just scratching yourself?”
Most auctions are performances of sorts, with each auctioneer having his or her own personality and style of working the crowd. In some heavily ethnic areas such as the heavily Finnish Wolf Lake and Menahga areas, auctions are still conducted in the language of the old country. The Eddie Jokela family, who handle most of the auctions in the Wolf Lake area, have been in the business for two generations, since daughter Jolene and son Randy have been involved since they were children.
Featured Items Auctioned Toward Sales End
As a general rule, the least expensive items go on the auction block during the first part of the sale. Since there are usually hundreds of articles for sale at the typical auction, smaller pieces are often grouped together in lots. The big pieces, such as sofas, desks and beds are generally sold one at a time. Special interest pieces, such as antique oak tables and cut glass vases are saved until last. At some farm auctions, machinery and vehicles are also for sale.
Auction Sales Great Places to Glean Local InformationEven auction goers not in the market for buying antiques, will find that Minnesota farm auctions qualify as social occasions and provide plenty of entertainment. Kids play tag on the farmer’s lawn. Neighbors catch up on the gossip, and tourists can get information on everything from good fishing spots to the mosquito repellant that’s most effective in shooing away the resident insects.
Since farm auctions are usually all-day affairs, an important part of the experience is lunch. Sometimes, the ladies of a nearby church sell sandwiches and other picnic fare. At other times, substantial farm-style midday meals are available or there may be a catering stand on wheels such as those that travel to carnivals and street fairs.
For people traveling through an area, the best places to find out about upcoming auctions are in the small-town newspapers. Flyers, printed for almost every auction, are posted on bulletin boards in small town supermarkets, at rural cafes and gas stations along nearby highways. Several websites give details of current auctions (use of search engine will find those in desired area). Most popular day for auctions is Saturday.
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