HARRISBURG, Pa. — Jeff Pennington, of New Castle, Lawrence County, bested 22 other bid callers and was named champion auctioneer at the 36th Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association Bid Calling Contest, held Jan. 14, at the 2015 Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg.
Rookie
Michael Dillard, of Centre Hall, Centre County, was named the first runner-up in the contest, and Nolan Bell from Somerset, Somerset County, was named Rookie of the Year. The Rookie of the Year is awarded to an auctioneer who has been licensed for less than two years.
The competition consists of three rounds: a practice, a preliminary, and finally a third round with the top 10 auctioneers.
In the practice and preliminary rounds, contestants provided their own items to sell.
After practice and preliminary rounds, the judges named the top 10 auctioneers who then sold items in a third round to determine the champion.
In the third and final round, contestants were challenged to sell similar toy tractors that were provided by the Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association.
Contestants were judged on presentation, voice control, clarity and salesmanship.
During the competition, participants could only identify themselves by a contestant number, so they could be judged without bias.
Spectators had the opportunity to bid and purchase a variety of items with proceeds going to the Pennsylvania Farm Show Scholarship Foundation and the Friends of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Foundation.
To become an auctioneer in Pennsylvania, potential candidates either apprentice with a licensed auctioneer for two years or take a 15-weekend course. Candidates then take a test to become licensed.
The top 10 auctioneers:
1. Jeff Pennington, New Castle, Lawrence Co.
2. Michael Dillard, Centre Hall, Centre Co.
3. J. Meryl Stoltzfus, Millerstown, Perry Co.
4. Nolan Bell, Somerset, Somerset Co.
5. Daniel Reeder, Beaver Falls, Beaver Co.
6. Jacob Yoder, Mifflintown, Juniata Co.
7. Paul Storm, York, York Co.
8. Toby Clemens, Lewisburg, Union Co.
9. Jason Reed, Latrobe, Westmoreland Co.
10. Kathleen Mack, New Florence, Westmoreland Co.
