The Hopkinsville Rotary Auction begins its weeklong run Monday evening at the Memorial Building — and the theme, “Spirit of 76,” is rooted in the history of both the local club and the United States.
The fact that the 76th Hopkinsville Rotary Auction coincides with America’s 250th anniversary year couldn’t have been more appropriate for auction chairman Brett Pritchett.
Prior to becoming an employee of the Hopkinsville Rotary Club last fall, Pritchett was a history teacher in local private schools for 17 years and worked for the Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County for two years. He is a member of the Rotary Club and serves as the organization’s youth liaison, a new position created to bolster Rotary’s scholarship programs and youth initiatives — such as Early Act clubs for elementary schools and Interact clubs for middle and high schools.
Much of Pritchett’s work aims to make sure “our partners feel supported and connected” and that Rotary programs are “structured in a way that helps students,” he said.
But during auction week, Pritchett’s focus will shift to overseeing one of the community’s most successful and long-running fundraisers. Although there is not an official goal for this year’s auction, Pritchett follows some record-setting efforts.
At the end of the 2024 auction, Rotarians announced they had raised $560,074, a new record for the club. The tally on closing night last year set another record at $634,383.
The auction raises money for the Rotary Scholars program at Hopkinsville Community College and for other educational and community programs. Established in 2012, the Rotary Scholars Program provides an opportunity for all high school graduates at public and private schools in Christian County to attend HCC tuition-free for two years. Approximately 1,800 students have received Rotary Scholars assistance, said Pritchett.
The auction runs Monday through Saturday at the Memorial Building, 1202 S. Virginia St. Most of the money Rotarians raise comes from donations to the Hour Club and from bids on donated goods in the main auction, ranging from lawnmowers, to country hams, jewelry, ballgame tickets, overseas vacations, bourbon and homemade cakes.
Main Auction
The main auction hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, and 6 p.m. until the last item is sold Saturday. Viewers can see the auction live at the Memorial Building or follow it on WHOP Radio, 98.7 FM, which has broadcast the auction during its entire history, or through a livestream on the Rotary Facebook page. Bids can be placed by calling 270-885-7500.
Hour and Goat Clubs
Hour Club donations are encouraged at $195 increments, which is equivalent to tuition for one credit-hour at HCC. Hour Club donations can be made online by calling 270-886-3034.
In addition, smaller donations are accepted though William Turner’s Goat Club. New this year, Pritchett is inviting community members to make a donation in honor of an “educator from your life that you thought was the GOAT (Greatest of All Teachers).
The Diner
The Rotary Diner inside the Memorial Building also raises money throughout the week. Lunch hours will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Dinner hours are 5 to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Special dinners will include Jambalaya on Tuesday, smoked chicken on Thursday, catfish on Friday and ribeye sandwiches on Saturday. Here’s a complete menu. Whole Boston butts are $40 each.
Rotary grants
Every evening during the auction, Rotarians will present grants to various community groups. Pritchett said the grants this year will total $185,000 — up from $151,000 in 2025.
How to help
In addition to bidding on items and buying meals, local businesses and individuals can still donate items for the main auction. Call 270-886-3034 to arrange a donation.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
