On Saturday, Aug. 25, Valle Crucis Community Park will host its 28th annual fundraising auction at Valle Crucis Elementary School.

The event kicks off at 8 a.m. with the opening of the flea market, an opportunity to find knickknacks and whatnots at bargain prices.

Viewing of items available in the auction begins at 8:30 a.m., and bidding opens at 9 a.m. Both breakfast and lunch will be available for purchase. For the first time this year, credit card payments will be accepted at the event.

The Valle Crucis Community Park is a private, nonprofit community park established in 1983 by members of the Valle Crucis community. It continues to be funded almost entirely by donations from individuals and local businesses.

According to Caroline Gandy, executive director of the park, “The auction is a hugely important component of the park’s fundraising efforts. This single event raises nearly 20 percent of the park’s annual budget, and it takes all kinds of bidders to make the auction a success: those who spend $500, as well as those who spend $50 or even $5.”

To preview items available at this year’s auction, visit http://www.biddingforgood.com/vallecrucispark.

The auction typically includes art, furniture, antiques, jewelry, gift certificates from local businesses and unique items extracted from basements and attics around the High Country.

This year’s auction features reserved parking at the park’s popular Music in the Valle concert series as well as travel packages and other unique experiences.

For more information, contact Gandy at (828) 963-9239 or (caroline@vallecrucispark.org)