Old Town Cape benefits from annual Hutson auction

The 19th Annual Charles L. Hutson Auction is set to take place at 7 p.m. Saturday at Buckner Brewing Co.

For the second year running, proceeds from the auction will benefit Old Town Cape. First held in 1988, the auction benefited the Downtown Merchants Association for 17 years until its merger with Old Town Cape.

Notable auction items this year will include a 61-inch HDTV donated by Shivelbine's Music Store, a half-carat diamond pendant donated by Jayson Jewelers LTD, dinner for four at a historic home overlooking the Mississippi River, a stainless steel watch donated by C.P. McGinty's and numerous oil paintings by local artists.

Another special item up for bid will be six antique toys from Charles Hutson's private collection. The toys will be auctioned separately, and their nature is being kept secret until the night of the event.

Dave Hutson said the auction was one of his father's favorite events and he's glad to see it continue on in his spirit. "It's just a lot of fun. You come and you wear what you want," he said. "If you want to wear a black tie, you wear one; if you don't, you don't. The main thing to remember is the benefit it brings to the area. This is Old Town Cape's biggest fund-raiser of the year."

Charles L. Hutson died in 2003 at the age of 65.

Tables of eight are available by reservation for $100. Those interested are encouraged to call 334-8085.