Treasures to be Had at Medfield Day's Silent Auction

One of the biggest bargains and one of the best kept secrets of Medfield Day is the Silent Auction/Raffle area of the MEMO Booth. This year’s fair theme “Discover Medfield’s treasures” certainly is being carried out by the auction.

 Attention sports fans: Among this year’s auction treasures will be a Boston Celtics, team-autographed basketball, thanks to team president and Medfield resident Rich Gotham. Also supporting his town, former Red sox winning pitcher Curt Schilling has autographed his game jersey No. 38 to go to the highest bidder. An autographed photo of Clay Buchholz has been donated by The Boston Red Sox, who claim they “ take tremendous pride in serving our fans and understand that we have a unique opportunity to be active participants in the community. As the baseball team of New England, we are committed to supporting non-profit organizations with their charitable efforts.”  MEMO thanks these individuals and team organizations.

The silent auction and raffle benefit the scholarship fund that provides monetary awards annually from MEMO to graduating seniors of Medfield and Tri-County Regional Vocational High Schools, planning business or trade careers, from the proceeds of this event. Scholarship recipients this year included: Connor Blackmon, Michael Keleher and Lindsey Ghegan of MHS and Sarah Robertson at Tri-County.

Few people seem to realize the auction and raffle take place during the entire day of the fall fair, also sponsored by The Medfield Employers and Merchants Organization, MEMO, to present the Medfield business community to the public. This year’s Medfield Day marks the 32nd anniversary of the annual event. The auction/raffle is only one part of the daylong fair and probably the least attended of the 150 booths that surround the Meeting House Pond on North and Frairy Streets and Upham Road. Nevertheless it will have many more items donated by MEMO members.

Seymour Levy, a graphic artist by profession and a photographer by avocation, has donated a framed photograph of the field at Rte. 109 and Hartford Street after haying. The photo also will be made into blank note cards for sale at the MEMO booth and elsewhere following Medfield Day. Roberts Mitchell Service has donated a limo service for an evening out in Boston or Providence. Medfield Properties set of six Town of Medfield etched Water Glasses has always been popular in the raffle. They also have donated a nice U.S. Flag and pole.

A Medfield Day committee person representing Middlesex Savings Bank in 2011 has solicited auction items from local merchants and services and the major sports teams. Large ticket items are placed for auction and displayed along on one side of the MEMO booth located in front of the stage in the park. 

Sign-up sheets provide a suggestion for starting bids and space for bidders.  Any visitor may make a silent bid and keep returning throughout the day to check on the bidding and raise an original bid.  Smaller items will be raffled off throughout the day. Raffle tickets are sold and the winning ticket drawn from the fish bowl at the end of the day. Winners are announced at 3 p.m.

 One great idea to reduce time and energy on the purchaser of multiple tickets is to bring a sheet of those address labels charities are so happy to send out. A sticker with name and address is then put on the ticket and only a phone number is required if the ticket holder is not on the fair grounds for the drawing.

Registration for Medfield Day is still being accepted until all booths are sold. The food court is full but a limited number of sites remain in the parking lot behind the building on North Street. The fair is a rain or shine event with free admission to the public. 

Many of the booths sell items and Kids Alley charges for rides and activities. The Venders are urged to decorate their booths in keeping with the Treasure theme. A scavenger hunt will be held to find certain treasures. Staff  tee shirts, designed by Seymour Levy display a treasure chest along with the name of the Gold sponsor, Clay family Dealerships.