MERCHANTS AUCTION SET THIS WEEKEND

"An Olde Time Railroad Party" is the theme of Downtown Merchants Association's Auction Saturday night.

The annual event will be held at the River City Yacht Club above Port Cape Girardeau Restaurant. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the auction starting at 8. A silent auction of several items will continue throughout the evening.

More than 100 items -- including clothes, jewelry, furniture, gift certificates, art prints and $500 advertising packages -- will be auctioned.

The items are auctioned through the donated services of Chug's Auction Service.

The association raised more than $12,500 last year. The auction has raised more than $100,000 over the past nine years, highlighted by the $18,000 three years ago.

Proceeds from the auction help fund downtown restoration and beautification projects and special events such as the Christmas parade, the brick crosswalks, flower planting, benches and maintenance of the areas.

The Thespian Theatrical Club at Cape Girardeau Central High School prepared the decorations for this year's event, which will be reminiscent of an old train station.

Janie Ervin is chairman of this year's event.

Additional information and tickets are available by calling 334-8711.