Bearfootin' Bears bring in over $100,000 for third straight year

Dean Hensley, Hendersonville Times-News
·2 min read

For a third straight year, the Friends of Downtown Hendersonville's Bearfootin' Bear Auction has raised more than $100,000 to benefit local nonprofits.

On Oct. 21, the 21st annual auction came to an end with a live event at the Historic Henderson County Courthouse, and the grand total this year came to $116,000. Last year the auction's total was $140,250 and in 2021 the total was $102,400.

The 2023 Bearfootin' Bears were on display at the Historic Henderson County Courthouse Plaza prior to the end of the auction on Oct. 21.
The 2023 Bearfootin' Bears were on display at the Historic Henderson County Courthouse Plaza prior to the end of the auction on Oct. 21.

Seven of this year's bears were sold with the "buy now" option for $10,000 each. According to a news release from Friends of Downtown Hendersonville, there were a total of 54 bidders who placed more than 155 bids throughout the monthlong auction period.

“In the last 10 years, the Bearfootin’ Auction has raised over $715,000 to support local nonprofits each year. It is a true testament to the beautiful work by our local artists and the charitable nature of our local community,” said Jamie Carpenter, downtown manager with the City of Hendersonville, said in the release. “Not only does it support our local nonprofits, it provides something unique to Hendersonville that visitors and locals alike love to see every year on Main Street.”

The 2023 Bearfootin' Bears were on display at the Historic Henderson County Courthouse Plaza prior to the end of the auction on Oct. 21.
The 2023 Bearfootin' Bears were on display at the Historic Henderson County Courthouse Plaza prior to the end of the auction on Oct. 21.
The 2023 Bearfootin' Bears were on display at the Historic Henderson County Courthouse Plaza prior to the end of the auction on Oct. 21.
The 2023 Bearfootin' Bears were on display at the Historic Henderson County Courthouse Plaza prior to the end of the auction on Oct. 21.

Part of the proceeds from each bear benefit the designated local nonprofit. The first $3,000 of the winning bid is split with the organizing nonprofit, Friends of Downtown Hendersonville, to sustain the event and support the overall Downtown Program, the release said.

Any amount above the first $3,000 goes entirely to the designated nonprofit.

More: They're here: 20 Bearfootin' Bears unveiled for annual Bearfootin' Bear Art Walk

Interested in sponsoring a 2024 bear?

Online applications for the 2024 Bearfootin' Bears are now available at https://hendersonvillenc.gov/bearfootin. Friends of Downtown Hendersonville said due to the overwhelming demand, this will be a "first come, first served" basis and that having a bear this year does not give priority.

All sponsors must pay for their bear within one week of application submission and have the nonprofit of their choice chosen in advance.

Dean Hensley is the news editor for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him with tips, questions and comments at DHensley@gannett.com. Please help support this kind of local journalism with a subscription to the Hendersonville Times-News.

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Bearfootin' Bears auction totals over $100,000 for third straight year