The DMWA Quarter Auction is a fundraiser that is part raffle / part bingo.
When you arrive at the door, you will be asked to select a Quarter Auction Chip (or two or three) numbered from 1 to 400.
Once you have made your selection, one of our volunteers will ask you what numbers you have, and whether you want a Standard Paddle ($5) or an All-In Paddle ($45) – more on that later, so read ahead if you’ve never been to one before…
You then go to the cashier, show them your paddles, and pay them the total amount for all of your paddles and get a program.
You find the Chip Barrel at the front of the hall, and drop your chip in the chip spinner – Please make sure you do this!. Then look at all of the lots and special raffles (you can buy special raffle tickets just inside the door to the main hall). The lots will generally have retail value of $20-$100, with perhaps a few higher value lots.
Find a seat at a table, perhaps get some food or drink, and prepare to bid!
The program will give a brief description of the item, and also give a number of quarters to bid – typically, 1 quarter for lots with a value of $25 or less, 2 quarters for lots less than $50, 3 for $75, 4 quarters for $100.
When the auction begins, and you wish to “bid” on the offered lot, you put the appropriate number of quarters in the container in the middle of the table, and HOLD YOUR PADDLE UP! (The caller will generally say “Quarters In & Paddles Up!”).
All of the quarters are collected off the table by our volunteers, the Chip Barrel is spun, and a chip is drawn. If that chip matches your numbered paddle, which is up in the air, YOU WIN THE LOT. Scream, Shout, Let Us Know You Have WON! The item is then delivered to you!
However, if your chip is drawn, but you did NOT put quarter(s) in, yell out “NO BID”. We will draw out another chip, until a winning chip is drawn.
An All-In Paddle is a special, colorful paddle, purchased before the auction starts, and with it, you don’t need to put any quarters in the container – you have pre-paid for ALL of the lots! And, you don’t have to worry about running out of quarters!
What is a Golden Paddle?
A Golden Paddle is an All-In Paddle for 1 segment of the auction (typically, there is an intermission halfway through). It is the first “lot” of each segment, and the winner now has an extra chance to win each & every lot for that segment!
Anything Else at DMWA Quarter Auctions?
Yes! At DMWA-sponsored Quarter Auctions, you will generally find Raffles for selected items, and 50/50 drawing. ALL proceeds from the Quarter Auction lots, raffles, and 50/50 go directly to DMWA to benefit the Give Kids The World Village.
You can pay for a Standard paddle, and after looking at all the good stuff, wish you had purchased an All-In Paddle… Well, at our auctions, you can – just return to the check-in table with your Standard Paddle, pay the difference, and get a colorful All-In Paddle.
Quarters will be on-sale at the check-in table throughout the evening. We use a high-speed mechanical counting machine to quickly and accurately count $10 worth of quarters into individual bags.
Planning In Advance!
Our All-In Paddle Holders. They also work great for home photos. $5 donation to DMWA.
SKIP THE LINE! You can pre-register your paddle numbers and seating (table reservations) with our online form: tiny.cc/DMWAreg
We will also sell All-In Paddle Holders for a $5 donation to the DMWA, so you don’t have to continuously hold your All-In Paddle up all night. And, whereas they should ONLY hold All-In paddles during our event, they will also hold up photos, memos, and children’s drawings once you take them home!
Depending on anticipated crowds, we may initially limit guests to 3 paddles. If there are sufficient paddles available prior to the beginning, we may open it up to more or even “unlimited”.
Food & Drink
The American Legion Riders will be providing Burgers, Hot Dogs, Fries, and Nachos!
They only accept cash for payment at this time.
Vendors
DMWA may permit vendor displays / sales tables within the hall in exchange for vendor-identified contributions.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at info@delawaremagicalwishes.org