Rows of rabbits sit under a white tent on the Hillsdale County Fairgrounds. Residents peruse the cages, searching for the perfect purchase.  At 10 a.m. sharp, an auctioneer’s voice fills the room, and the bidding begins. 

“First item we have a dozen fresh brown eggs from a local free-range chicken. We’ll start the bidding at $2.00. Do I hear a $2.50? $2.50, $3? We’ve got three dollars, do I have a $3.50?” And so on the bidding goes.

Every Saturday morning at the fairgrounds, the Hillsdale Auction and Flea Market offers poultry, rabbit, and large livestock auctions, as well as flea market vendors. 

Guy and Deb Russell are the current owners of the auction. According to Deb, the couple first began working for the auction in 2013 and took over the company in 2016. 

“It has been confirmed that the market existed by 1913, but we have found some documents that suggest the auction could have started as early as 1905,” Deb said. 

According to Deb, residents sell the goods and livestock provided at the auction, but these sellers are not all from the Hillsdale area.

“There are both in-state and out-of-state sellers, as well as visitors. Since we are near a state border, we often have visitors from bordering states,” Deb said. “On Facebook we have 20,000 followers who await information on what the upcoming goods are for the week.”

Deb said the auction has survived for more than 100 years because of the community’s support. 

“The market and auction are only successful because of the enormous amount of people that have come together,” she said.

Dario Gonzales, a Hillsdale resident and owner of Gonzales Services, said he often attends the flea market and auction. 

“I come here every week for a nice breakfast and sometimes to purchase livestock for my land.”

Spanglers Stock Yard Restaurant serves breakfast on the auction grounds. On winter mornings, the warmth of the indoors is a comforting reprieve from the weather.  

The main event took place in a large auction barn. Filled with the squawking of chickens and bleating of goats, the barn houses a variety of livestock for purchase via auction. Bleachers full of people raise their auction numbers as they compete for goods. 

Although the auction of livestock and other miscellaneous goods are the main event, there is also an assortment of products for sale outside the auction barn. Deb said the flea market tends to draw in crowds for its variety of selections. Sometimes private residents sell baked goods and snacks, antiques, and clothing.

Freshman Kyra Goetsch said the event reminded her of how her mother described her childhood. 

“My mom used to tell me stories of going to live auctions in the South with her grandfather,” Goetsch said. “When I heard the quick voice of the auctioneer, I was able to reminisce in my mother’s memory. Going to the auction connected me to my past but also to the traditions of a new community.” 

Goetsch said she hopes the flea market will encourage other students to invest in Hillsdale’s community.