Cara Loverock
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, November 21, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Magic was the theme and auction was the game at the Explorer Hotel on Friday.

The 28th annual celebrity auction for the NWT Council for Persons with Disabilities featured a magic show and plenty of laughs.

Illusionist Brian Glow performs a trick with some rope, much to the delight of the audience at the 28th annual celebrity auction on Friday. - Cara Loverock/ NNSL photo

The silent auction kicked things off and featured a wide range of items like a helicopter tour of the city, a gift certificate for Breakaway Fitness Centre and beautiful pieces of artwork.

The place was packed with Yellowknifers, young and old, who wanted a chance to bid on items or see the special celebrity guest, illusionist Brian Glow.

Doreen Reid, chair of the board for the disabilities council, encouraged everyone to have fun and support a good cause at the same time. "You are supporting an organization that does a lot of work and has expanded throughout the territory," she said. "Enjoy bidding and take home great stuff."

This was the first time internationally renowned illusionist Brian Glow said he had ever been so far north. He took to the stage before the live auction with tricks that delighted the audience.

The first item up for bids was a 30-minute live show by local musician Sandy Pringle. She performed a Christmas song to warm up the crowd before bidding and was auctioned off at $400.

Auctioneers Gerry LePrieur and MLA Robert Hawkins led the crowd during bidding, which at some points got quite heated - especially when Yellowknife firefighters Max Auger, Paul Grismer and Jared Wiebe were auctioned off. The three were sold with the added bonus of making dinner for four.

Before bidding the winning amount of $600, a woman in the audience asked "Will they sing?"

Without even asking, Hawkins replied, "Yes, they'll sing anything you want."

A fierce bidding war also erupted over a stunning chair and ottoman from Quality Furniture that ended at $1,250.

Moyra Bissell, co-ordinator of the event, said the turnout was excellent and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

"It's a great event, all the money goes to a good cause. It's a lot of fun," said Bissell.

She said Cecily Hewitt, executive director of the NWT Council for Persons with Disabilities, also did a lot to organize the event and the money raised from the night will go toward various programs for people with disabilities throughout the territory.

The decorations transformed the hotel into a magical world with stars on the walls, large trees and mushrooms adorning the place from wall to wall. "People have been saying they're spectacular," said Bissell of the decorations by Jen Savage.

A giant caribou was also on hand for people, with a donation, to pose with for a picture and commemorate the annual event with style.