(2/14) On Saturday March 14, the Taneytown Fire Company will hold its 20th annual toy auction. Every year, over 600 toys are auctioned off. The toys range from old to new and come in almost every shape and size, old wooden and metal toys to modern plastic toys Past items sold at the auction include a custom built John Deere combine and an IH combine (each sold for $1,100) a Hubley wooden milk
truck made in 1942 which sold for $800, and a Tonka Farm Set made in the 1940’s that had never been taken out of the box. It sold at auction for $2,100.
The auction will begin at 2 pm and will be held at the Taneytown carnival grounds at 49 Memorial Drive. Admission is free to the public and they can preview the auction starting at 10 am. Items for the auction will be posted on the Taneytown fire company website 2 weeks prior to the auction.
The brainchild behind the auction is Don Shoemaker. Don, a lifelong member of the Taneytown Fire Company started the auction as a way to help raise money for the Taneytown Fire Company. Being and avid toy collector for over 40 years, Don has attended toy auctions across the country. Don can’t recall at which show it occurred to him that a toy auction would be a great way to raise money, but it
did, and the rest is history.
In years past, the money raised has been used towards purchasing new equipment for the Fire Company. A new ladder truck and a new rescue truck have been among the items purchased.
Taneytown Main Street Manager Nancy McCormick said, "This annual toy auction is a wonderful draw for people who have never been to our community. This is one of the signature events of this town and we thank Mr. Don Shoemaker for coordinating this wonderful event."
In addition to toys, food will be sold at the auction, including Don Shoemaker’s ‘famous’ chicken corn soup, along with sandwiches, hot dogs, chicken tenders, and french fries, and dessert, including pies and cakes. All proceeds from food sales will go to the Taneytown Fire Company.
On Sunday, March 15 toy dealers will be there to sell toys to the public for themselves. If you would like to take part in consigning toys at the auction or if you have any other questions about the auction contact Don Shoemaker at 443-277-6204.
