MINNEOTA - There really was something for everyone lined up on tables in the American Legion hall in Minneota. Even though she wasn't there to bid, there were some objects that definitely caught Chelsey Havemeier's attention.
"I seen a sword back there," said Havemeier, who was one of quite a few kids perusing the tables with their families. And Chelsey wasn't kidding - somewhere between the collection of framed movie star portraits, the antique toys and the glass vase of peacock feathers was a real sword that was up for bid on Sunday.
The discoveries were all part of the New Year's auction that has become an annual event in Minneota. The auction, which is usually held on New Year's Day, was postponed a day because of weather conditions this year. Auctioneer Dave Fadness said that meant a smaller crowd.
"Usually it's standing-room only," he said, while this weekend there were some vacant seats even after the bidding started. But, Fadness said, safety was the first concern when there were blizzard warnings in the region.
Many of the people gathering in the hall had an idea of what they wanted to bid for, while others were just browsing without anything specific in mind.
"We're just snoopin'," Jacob Roiger said as he and Chelsey Havemeier walked around the hall.
Stephanie Klemmer of Minneota picked up an old history book and held it close to try and read what a past owner had written on the inside cover.
"What's inside it?" Malachi Klemmer asked, as Stephanie Klemmer paged through the book.
Klemmer said both she and her parents were keeping an eye out for collectibles at a good price. They attended the auction last year, she said. "My dad's an auction hound."
Some bidders were interested in collectible coins, or in some of the rifles and other guns on display.
"I'm interested in a couple of guns," said Anthony Callens, as he looked through the auction items. Callens said he usually goes to the auction with his dad, who tends to be interested in the collectibles.
Some of the bidders had traveled all the way from South Dakota to attend the auction.
"It's been kind of traditional. I've been here for the last three or four years they've had it," said Steve Doyle, who lives south of Brookings. Doyle said he had bought a few things from past auctions, but he wouldn't know what he was looking for this year until he found it.
