Tree Auction

Auctioned items were decorated and sponsored by area businesses, organizations, and individuals. Tree proceeds will go towards supporting YPN, the Young Parents Network.

Miss the Tree Auction? A few trees are still available. View them online and make an offer.

Questions? Call: 319-290-6733

How to place a bid

Registration will require a first name, last name, email address, and phone number that you can access to so we can contact you on the status of the bid. If you bid in previous years under the same email address, you can login to your existing account or reset your password if necessary.

Once registered, find and select the 7.5 ft. tree, 4 ft. tree, wreath, or planter you’d like to bid on. Confirm that the theme, company, and number are the same as the sign next to the item at the event.

Place your bid. Bids must increase by at least $10. Check your email, and auction website throughout the event to stay up to date on the current bids. Bidding ends on Sunday, November 16 at 4 pm. Auction winners will be notified shortly after.

Auto-bid is set and the system will automatically place a new bid for you, up to a certain dollar amount.

For example, if a max bid is placed for $250, the auction system will counter-bid for up to that amount. If the bids exceed the set amount, it will stop auto-bidding. This does NOT mean you will automatically pay the auto bid amount you set. The bid will only increase by $10 until you win or reach your auto bid maximum. Payment is taken after auction winners are announced on Sunday.

Auction winners will be notified shortly after 4 PM on Sunday, November 16. The highest bidder will receive an email notifying them that they won the auction. The email will include a link to collect payment.

Payment will need to be made by 10 AM on Monday, November 17, or we will move on to the second-highest bidder.

If you pay with a credit card, the charge will appear as “THE-GAZETTE-STORE” on your credit card statement.

Pickup will be available on Sunday, November 16 from 5-7 PM and Monday, November 17 from 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM.

Yes. The Festival of Trees auction is fully virtual. If you do not have access to a phone and email address, please have a friend or family member assist you in bidding.

Yes! Bid on as many items as you’d like. If you win more than one item, you will be responsible for each item. You will not be charged until the end of the auction. 

Contact the event team as soon as possible so we can alert the next highest bidder!

All trees and wreaths are wrapped in packing wrap as-is to secure all decorations to take home. Tree skirts and items underneath the trees are included with your item. Volunteers will assist getting the tree into your vehicle.

Thank you for supporting Festival of Trees, the Young Parents Network, Foundation 2 Crisis Services, small businesses, Eastern Iowa organizations, and 100% employee-owned local journalism. Enjoy!