Historic Iola, Kansas, Baseball Team memorabilia featured in auction
The Iola Old Car Show, Inc. a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is finding creative ways to recoup the lost revenue of their cancelled car show.
Now open for bidding, Iola Car Show is hosting an online auction to raise funds! This online auction will be open until Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. The car show staff will be hosting a virtual event set to the tone of the Roaring 20s and prohibition, while calling out bids the final hour of the auction. This event is open to everyone with a variety of packages both antique/auto inspired as well as items donated by businesses, sponsors and friends of the storied show.
Executive Director Joe Opperman states: “We came across a very neat piece of history while going through the former Krause Publications building. We reached out to the Chamber of Commerce in Iola, Kansas, with the idea of working together to share this story with the sister city, and they loved the idea. It’s a fun and creative way to help spread the message and reach people in another part of the country.”
The decorative artifact features photos and script entitled ‘Iola is Proud of these Boys’, and commemorates the league championship team from Iola, Kansas, of 1904. You can learn more about it, view and bid here.
Jill Hartman of the Iola, Kansas, Chamber adds: “I had a smile from ear to ear when I received the message from Joe. Here at the Iola Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism in Iola, Kansas, we get quite a few phone calls asking for details about the Iola Car Show. Now we can officially say, yes, this Iola had a small part in this amazing event. We’re hoping that by making this awesome contact with the Iola Car Show and Joe Opperman that we can help bring some attention to this neat artifact, find a bidder to bring it home and help the Iola Car Show with some funds in return for their 2021 event. ”
Joe continues, “The loss of the flagship event this year means we need keep mining for sources of revenue in order to make a 2021 event possible. The show is not only a huge fundraiser for the organizations it provides direct funding for, but also a major generator of commerce for all of central Wisconsin. We’re hoping the businesses we’re able to impact each year will be able to help support us now in a time of need.”
Auction info
All bidders must register at iola.givesmart.com. Bidding is open and will continue until Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. The last hour of bidding will be broadcasted live – more details to come on that. Sponsorships and donations will also be taken on the site or can be sent to the Iola Car Show.
About the Iola Car Show
The Iola Car Show is a production of Iola Old Car Show Inc., a non-profit corporation established to promote the industry, and for the betterment of its area communities. With more than 115,000 people attending each year on over 300 acres featuring more than 2,200 show cars, 4,000+ swap spaces, 1,000 car corral spaces and 1,600 camping spaces, the Iola Car Show is one of the biggest events for auto enthusiasts in America.