UTICA — Seventy-five cakes and other homemade items donated by members of the community were auctioned by the Utica Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday evening at its annual cake auction. Held during the Utica Homecoming Fall Festival, some serious good-natured competitive bidding raised the price on some items into the hundreds of dollars.

Marianne Helphrey purchased a few cakes on behalf of the Knox County Career Center.

“My husband is a firefighter here, and I’m on the squad,” Helphrey said. “Utica’s awesome. This department always helps us out with equipment and whatever we need for training.”

Helphrey said four Utica firefighters are instructors for the KCCC fire science program.

Firefighters watched for bid acknowledgments from the crowd as auctioneer Mike Ludwig encouraged the bids higher. Members of the Utica Fire Auxiliary kept everything running smoothly.

Utica veterinarian Richard Ramseyer walked away with a few cakes, including a hickory nut cake, made with nuts from Utica Hickory Grove, donated by John Torrens.

Bob Evans from Bob’s Tractor Paint and Repair donates cakes every year. The cake decorated as a red tractor donated by him this year was purchased for $70 by Park National Bank.

“I do it to give back,” Evans explained. “The squad has helped my wife and my friends and family.”

Familiar faces who donate cakes each year were joined by some novice bakers, including several home economics students from Utica High School.

The home ec students were not the only youth involved. Eight-year-old Timmy Moore donated two plates full of Mountain Dew cupcakes. A group of eighth-grade boys pooled their money to purchase a cake.

Some Utica natives make it back for the homecoming auction each year. Ed Teegardin said he comes back each year and donates items for the auction to help the community.

“I grew up here,” Teegardin explained. “My dad used to be the chief of police. We come back every year to give back to the community.”

Shane Meyers of the Village Inn Tavern bought back a cake he had donated for $310. Several plates of cinnamon rolls made by Gail Neighbarger were very popular with bidders, as they are every year.

Becky Cremeans baked several cakes for the auction in every imaginable flavor variety, including carrot, yellow, French vanilla, caramel and cashew-pecan.

Ribbons were awarded to the Utica EMS for the best business entry and to the Village Inn Tavern for best theme. Howard Hill received a Best Cookies ribbon for his no-bake cookies, and John Sherer won Best Bread for his pumpkin bread.

Jane Simmons won the Best Decorated award for her cake shaped and decorated as a pumpkin. Becky Cremeans received first place for Best Homemade Cake for her caramel cake, and Betty Tiebout received second place for her spice cake.

In the high school category, first place went to Paige Amos, Jessie Leaman, Maci Randell and Calyn Rowley for their princess cake.

Second place went to Brandon Quinn, Bridget Davis, Tyler Vansikle, Andy Moone and Kelsey Harriman for their fire boot cake.

Mayor Larry Friesel told the crowd how much their support was appreciated, and said 100 percent of the money raised would be used by the fire department.

Fire Chief Rick Wray said the $3,670 raised in the auction would be used to purchase new turnout gear.

“We’re trying to replace our old stuff, and money’s been tight,” the chief said. “We like to get as much as we can for the guys without bothering the taxpayers.

“Our runs are up, and with the price of fuel, too, it’s tight,” Wray said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to buy a few sets of gear after tonight.”