Unbelievable. Incredible. Fantastic. These are the words being used to describe the results of the Elanco Library Dinner Auction held Saturday evening.

Billed as the social event of the year for folks in eastern Lancaster County, the auction raised more than $78,000.

Auction chairman Barb MacMaster said the committee was optimistic that the event would surpass last year’s record $56,000.

“We never imagined that we would surpass last year’s by over $22,000!” she said excitedly.

Board members Trish Cox and Cindy Knauer expressed their excitement early in the auction about the record 505 attendees and the distinctive donated items.

“It’s wonderful to have all of this support,” said Cox.

State Rep. Gordon Denlinger, a strong supporter of the Elanco Library, was attending his fourth auction.

“I really enjoy this event. The library has an excellent staff and provides the resources needed to promote literacy,” said Denlinger.

Auctioneer Don Welsh wasted little time getting bids on the 120 auction items in a little over three hours.

Esther Sideman, 82, bought the first item on the auction block — three patio flowers with citronella and two bird feeder flowers — for $50.

“I bid early before the prices go up,” she said with a grin.

Sideman came up with the idea for the first auction and served as the chair in 1999 and 2000. She has attended all nine of them.

Getting big bids seemed less of an effort this year for Welsh, who has been well-known for using his persuasive power. The two ties he was wearing each went for $200 and his shirt for $175.

He wore a WEH Supply T-shirt underneath. The company paid $550 at last year’s auction for him to wear the shirt promoting their business at this year’s event.

Bids began peaking with a Windsor chair going for $1,500. Tying for top bids were a custom-made rifle and a barbecue for 20 people, both selling for $3,100.

Other items netting unbelievable prices were: an off-shore tuna fishing trip for four, $900; a ride on the Liberty Fire Company ladder truck, $550; a black raspberry pie, $190; a roast pig dinner, $1,000; an Italian dinner for eight in your home, $800; 10-lap monster racing at Dover Downs, $450; a T-shirt to promote a business at the 2008 auction, $550.

Two items auctioned off brought matching gifts to benefit the library and meet other needs in the community.

A shopping spree for a grocery store brought a matching donation that gave $1,000 to the New Holland Food Bank and $1,000 to the library; gift certificates for a grocery store raised a matching donation that gave $1,000 to the library and $1,000 to the New Holland Ministerium.

Businesses and individuals contributed more than $15,000 in cash to the auction.

“We want to express our deepest appreciation to everyone who contributed in helping to make this a night and an event to remember,” said MacMaster.

Auction committee members are Carol Gilbert, Bert Horning, Wilbur Horning, Marcia Ireland, Jen Leaman, Barb MacMaster, Hugh MacMaster, Sue Newswanger, Sally Pierce, Sandra Ruhl, Alice Spotts, Robert Spotts, Nancie Weaver, Robert Weaver and Don Welsh.