Shoppers, get ready, get set and start the bidding.

Now in its 24th year, the Boy Scout Holiday Media Auction, sponsored by LaRosa’s Pizzeria, will air live on Monday Dec. 3 from the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts on the Campus of Shawnee State University in Portsmouth.

More than 125 local businesses and individuals donated nearly $20,000 worth of items ranging from sports tickets and memorabilia to furniture, electronics, gift baskets and gift certificates sure to please the most discriminating shopper.

This auction offers 14 “Bid Boards” along with the “Big Board” and participants should find something to please everyone on their holiday shopping list.

Each “Bid Board” will be open for 10 minutes before being turned off and the winning bids are announced. Dave Wright, Scoutmaster of Troop 2 in Portsmouth and Dave Lucas, Scoutmaster of Troop 106 in Ironton are serving as this year’s auctioneers and masters of ceremonies.

They promise a fast paced auction filled with fun and excitement as well as updates on the Scouting program in the area with special appearances by area Scouts, adult Scout leaders and Santa himself.

The Boy Scout program provides character development, citizenship training, personal fitness and fun as well as leadership skills to last a lifetime.

“We want everyone to remember that this is an auction to benefit our area Boy Scout program and we hope to bring the top dollar for everything offered,” said Lucas. “When you support the auction you are giving more boys the opportunity to live and contribute as productive citizens and become our communities’ leaders of tomorrow.”

Shoppers may bid on items on the “Big Board” throughout the evening. The “Big Board” features 10 items with an array of the most in-demand items that include everything from a Boy Scout-themed quilt to a lawn mower, TV and a golf package including a complete set of clubs.

The 14 sponsored “Bid Boards” feature five items each with gifts of all shapes and sizes. Items include themed baskets, items for the home, relaxation items and various Ohio State items as well as Buckeye football and basketball tickets. Shoppers will find a little bit of everything from homemade chocolates from Kim Bauer to electronics for the entire family.

A few other items include a karaoke machine, bicycles, a fitness package as well as a runners package.

“Shoppers have various ways of participating this year,” said Vicky Hatcher, auction chairman. “They may bid from the comfort of their home while watching the auction live on Time Warner Cable Channel 20 or by logging on to the live stream at the council website www.skcbsa.org/auction or enjoy an evening with friends and neighbors, at our auction party at the Port City Café and Pub on Chillicothe Street where party-goers may view the auction on big screen TVs.

“Shoppers then call in their bids to (740) 351-4BSA and our phone bank operators will take their bids. Portsmouth Block and Portsmouth Building Supply are sponsoring the Phone Bank.”

Opal Spears and Brenda Horr are serving as auction party hostesses and guests will find complimentary light hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction with exclusive items and door prizes along with a lot of fun and excitement. Additionally, a dinner menu will be available as well for those wanting to purchase a meal.

“The auction requires months of work and hours of volunteer support” said Hatcher. “The Media Club from Ohio University Southern Campus along with Time Warner Cable provide broadcasting capabilities. Thanks to Shawnee State University and especially Leo Schlosser, we are able to present a live production from a first-class stage. Of course we couldn’t do it without the support of our adult Scout volunteers who solicit items, assist with the set-up and work the evening of the auction as stage crew and phone operators. Additionally, our Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Venture Scouts assist with the production and we have numerous Scout units contributing baskets and items to this year’s auction boards.”

“We encourage everyone to participate in this year’s auction. No matter where or how shoppers watch the live auction, they simply need to call (740) 351-4BSA to place their bid on any of the exceptional items.”