AUBURN – If it isn’t obvious already, the giant polar bear crossing the auction block will give it away: Things are different in Auburn this Labor Day.
Yes, a polar bear, part of an extensive taxidermy collection, tucked somewhere between three Ferraris being auctioned at no reserve and a world-class gathering of Duesenbergs, at Classical Event Auctions’ inaugural event near DeKalb High School.
There’ll be plenty of auctions in Auburn this week. Kruse International’s highly publicized woes led to concern this past spring there would not be a large-scale event at the auction park at Interstate 69 and County Road 11A, but RM Auctions stepped into that void. In addition to Classical Event Auctions, Worldwide Auctioneers also will conduct a multiday event near the DeKalb-Allen county line.
Despite the attention being paid to auctions this year, there’s more going on for those not drawn by the gavel.
Rodger Eddy, a charter member of the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club and chairman of Saturday’s parade, hopes crowds will make their way downtown to watch classic cars wind their way around town.
Eddy said the Club is making a major effort this year to coordinate and time the parade so there won’t be the delays, uneven speeds and long gaps that have marred the parade in years past.
“The parade was intended and remains the ACD Club’s gift to the people of Auburn and its visitors, and we intend to make it an attractive and memorable gift this year,” he said.
The Club also is sponsoring what’s being billed as a one-time-only event, a “gentlemen’s drag race” of Duesenbergs and a vintage Stinson aircraft fly-in at the Kendallville Municipal Airport. Also on display will be a World War II-vintage B-25 bomber.
Between 40 to 60 Duesenbergs are expected at the event, possibly breaking a world record for the most gathered in one place. The cars will cross the Classical Events Auction stage about noon Friday for the public to see before making their way to Kendallville.
The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival will revive several popular events and also celebrate the man who has shaped the festival’s image for the past 30 years, artist John Souder. Souder’s art has been featured annually on commemorative festival posters and will be displayed at the Garrett Museum of Art throughout the weekend.
Many events also benefit local charitable causes, such as a new Auburn Arts Fair at the DeKalb Outdoor Theater, which will raise money for DeKalb High School’s show choirs.
And even that polar bear and its fellow taxidermy specimens are for a good cause, said Greg Peterson, Classical Event Auctions’ president and owner.
They belong to a veteran who will be deployed to Afghanistan within days of the auction.
