Auction sees big turnout to benefit Old Town Cape

More than 200 people turned out to support downtown revitalization Friday night at the 23rd annual Charles L. Hutson Auction benefiting Old Town Cape at Buckner Brewing Co.

"It was a very successful event," said Marla Mills, executive director of Old Town Cape. "We had a lot of generous people, and a good cross-section of the community came out to support us."

This year's fundraising auction goal was set at $22,000; however, totals from Friday night are not yet available because the Old Town Cape staff left at 7 a.m. Saturday to attend the National Main Streets Conference in Oklahoma City. The four-day seminar is sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Friday night's auction had a Mexican fiesta theme and included Dave and Chris Hutson dressed as a bottle of hot sauce and a bottle of tequila. Music was provided throughout the evening by Steve Schaffner and Chuck Sowers.

David Crowe's photographs drew the highest bids during the silent auction portion of the evening, selling for a lot higher than expected, Mill said.

The top-selling item during the live auction was a private five-course dinner for 10 at Cain Restaurant, which sold for $1,100.

About 100 businesses donated items for Friday's auction, Mills said.

Old Town Cape is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the redevelopment of downtown Cape Girardeau. The organization also coordinates several community events downtown throughout the year, including Tunes at Twilight, the Rivertales Classic Car Show, Oktoberfest, the Parade of Lights and Downtown Christmas Open House. On Saturday, Old Town Cape will sponsor a new event. A downtown home tour is planned from noon to 4 p.m.

mmiller@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent addresses:

418 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, MO

132 N. Main St., Cape Girardeau, MO