About the Bid Calling Contest

On Wednesday, January 14, 2009, nearly two dozen of the best auctioneers in the state competed for the coveted title of the 2009 Pennsylvania Bid Calling Champion. The competition drew men and women from across the state and was open to all Pennsylvania-licensed auctioneers who reside in the Commonwealth and have not previously won the competition. The competition is held in conjunction with the annual Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association Conference and takes place at the Pennsylvania State Farm Show in Harrisburg, the largest indoor agricultural exhibition in the nation.

Michael Weaver of Allenwood, Union County, PA, garnered the prestigious "Pennsylvania Auctioneer Champion." He competed with other talented auctioneers to be the best bid caller in the state as well as for the top prize of cash, a large silver trophy and paid registration at the International Auctioneer Championship set for July 2009 in Kansas City. The first runner-up is Lee Allen Hostetter of Beaver Falls, Beaver County.

The PAA also named a "Rookie Auctioneer Champion," an individual who has been licensed as an auctioneer less than two years. This honor was bestowed on William R. Omalacy, Jr., of Smithfield, Fayette County.

A portion of the proceeds from the contest and benefit auction went to St Jude's Hospital in Memphis, TN, the prime beneficiary of the National Auctioneers Association and auctioneers across the country, as well as the Farm Show Scholarship Fund to support students entering the agricultural field

The auctioneers were judged by a panel of eight judges: six auctioneer judges, including the 2008 champion, John M. Hess, of Lancaster County; Randy A. Wells, National Auctioneers Association President; and a representative from Antiques & Auction News, a nationally known weekly antique, auction and collecting newspaper from Mount Joy, PA.

The contestants were judged not only on his or her bid calling ability, but also on overall presentation, speech, appearance, and salesmanship. Each auctioneer was allowed a maximum of three minutes to demonstrate his or her ability.

(Please scroll down for more photos of the Bid Calling Contest)