Bidding on history: Kidron Auction approaches a century of service

ARCHIVE PHOTO BY DREW HUGLAND | DGKN

John Sprunger rides in the parade celebrating Kidron’s 200th anniversary in 2019.

PHOTO FROM WWW.KIDRONAUCTION.COM

John Sprunger took over the auction in 1973, which is still going strong for nearly 100 years.

KIDRON   For years in June, in the 1930s and into the 1950s, Cy Sprunger hosted a huge annual event on the square in Kidron.

The anniversary celebration and special June sale helped to promote the livestock auction and drew the community and out-of-towners for food and entertainment in a carnival-like atmosphere.

In fact, in 1948 when the Kidron Auction celebrated its 25-year anniversary under the management of Cy Sprunger, he put on a large two-day gala affair. State dignitaries attended and everyone enjoyed fun and games, according to the Kidron Auction website.

When asked about the 100-year anniversary three years away, John Sprunger, who has owned the auction since 1973 with his wife, Janet, said they have talked about the upcoming milestone. They don’t have any plans in place yet for a celebration of the local business at 4885 Kidron Road that fills a need in Ohio and surrounding states. But Sprunger said he hopes the auction that has evolved and adapted with the times and the changing agriculture industry will still be going strong as it marks 100 years.
For nearly a century, farmers, business owners, community members and others have counted on the Kidron Auction – they still do.

Read the complete story in the June 24, 2020 edition.