CATO - No one ever knows what treasures they might find when they go to a garage sale or an auction.

That is what drew several dozen people to the Cato-Meridian School District bus garage Thursday night for the Cato Rotary Fall Auction.

Among them were Donald Barron and his wife Cindy, of Red Creek, who said they attended the annual auction for the first time after seeing a sign on the road which piqued their curiosity.

But it was more than curiosity that got them out. Barron said he is an avid collector of antique tractors and engines.

“I'm always looking for a treasure,” Barron said. “If you don't go to the auctions and flea markets you aren't going to find the things you are looking for.”

The auction, which the Rotary Club hosts twice a year, in November and June has been a tradition.

Allan Wood, a long-time member, said it goes back as long as he's been involved and probably longer.

“We've been doing this at least 30 or 35 years,” Wood said. “Maybe even longer. It is a tradition in the community. We are able to raise a little bit of money and people in the community know that it is coming up and it gives them a chance to get rid of things they don't want anymore.”

People have been known to brave the elements to attend.

“We usually have 40 or 50 people,” Wood said. “Tonight the weather is good. But sometimes it has been snowing in November and we've had to close the garage doors and keep the snow out, but people still come here for this auction.”

From attics and basements, as well as local businesses that donated surplus items and furnishings, the auction had a little bit of everything.

From toys to tools, glassware to couches, there was a plethora of treasures waiting to be discovered.

Dean Cummings, a local auctioneer, donated his services, he's called off items for many years, Wood said.

And the Rotary has been fortunate to work with Cummings, traveling with him to various area auctions, usually attending 20 or more a year, selling food, which along with their own auctions have become successful fundraisers for the Rotary, Wood said.

Wood added they've established a relationship with the school district and the community.

“We've been using the garage here for 15 years,” Wood said. “School has been really good about letting us use the garage here and people are good about donating things. They know when this is coming up and they need to make space in their house and people are always looking for bargains, especially these days, so it has worked out really well for us. We usually make $700 or $800 from doing this.”

With the holidays fast approaching, crafts and decorations were also hot items. But no matter what they came for, a good bargain was a good bargain.

Jim and Deb Lyon, of Red Creek, avid auctiongoers, said they had their eyes on some furniture.

“Sometimes you find some really good deals,” Jim said. “So it is good to come out to these kinds of things once and a while and see what you might find.”