COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Tibbits Opera House in Coldwater received a huge financial boost Saturday night, as the Tibbits’ 40th Annual Auction grossed over $64,000 for the historic theatre’s annual operating budget.
Dinners and special experiences highlighted the items up for bid and garnered some very generous donations. High bids for the evening came from three separate dinners donated by Kathy and Rick Merrill, a jet trip, an orthodontic treatment by Dr. Baron Whateley and Coldwater Orthodontics, as well as several unique shopping and travel packages.
This year’s Barton S. Tibbits Sponsorship, which gives the high bidder four tickets to every event at the theatre, was purchased by Kaiser Electric, Jim and Renee White, David and Caroline Austin, and Paul and Kathy Bair.
Themed after the popular Disney movie “Mary Poppins, the opera house was decorated with kites, umbrellas, silhouettes of London rooftops, penguins, teacups and an English garden. Volunteers for the event were dressed as chimney sweeps, Mary Poppins, Bert, and Mr. Banks were also in attendance.
Over 200 guests enjoyed a wine pull, raffles, food and beverages as well as the auction.
Nearly 500 items were up for silent auction in the art gallery and another 60 were available for the live auction on stage led by Darren Spieth and Dan Satow, owners Spieth & Satow Auctioneers.
The event represents about ten percent of the annual budget for the Tibbits.
