Another year, and another successful Public Improvement Auction for Emporia Main Street.
This year’s event was held inside of the Emporia State University Memorial Union’s Webb Hall and managed to bring in a fundraising total of nearly $32,000. Over the years, the auction has only grown in both success and attendance as was evident by an increase in ticket sales between this year and last, in fact, Main Street Community Development Coordinator Jessica Buccholz says this year’s sales doubled those from 2024.
With that in mind, Buccholz called the evening a “winning recipe” for fundraising adding that the auction not only brings in dollars for various ventures, it also allows them an opportunity to give residents a deeper look into just how involved Main Street truly is within the community year-round.
While Main Street receives the credit for the success of the event, Buccholz notes there is no success if not for the generosity and continued support from the local community.
As always, this year’s event included a trio of auctions — a silent auction, dessert auction, and live auction — a great meal, courtesy of Fresh Ideas this year, and high-quality entertainment courtesy of Dueling Pianos. The only change from years past with the 2025 auction was the venue as the event moved from its longtime home inside of the Emporia Granada Theatre.
Buccholz says the dollars raised Friday night have not been earmarked for any one specific cause as of yet. That said, she tells KVOE News the possibilities for how to use those dollars are nearly endless.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News
