FAIRBURY - A radio tradition of over 30 years is back and in action on Ol Red 99.5 and KWBE. Radio auction is back.

“It’s an auction on the radio,” Trevor Steinmeyer said.

Trevor Steinmeyer is the morning show host at Ol’ Red 99.5 in Fairbury, and talked about how radio auction works.

“We get a whole bunch of goods and services from local businesses in our listening area and we auction them off to the highest bidder and we auction them off over the radio, it’s pretty cool,” Steinmeyer said.

Items include memberships to certain businesses, golf outings, gift cards, and much more - but how does the station get the items they give away?

“Sales people go out and talk to their normal sales representatives and we exchange advertising for their goods and services,” Steinmeyer said. “It works pretty slick.”

Another host is Randy Bauer. Bauer says his favorite part of radio auction is having a lively office, something that wasn’t so common two years ago.

“You know, it’s nice to be able to work at the station and have everybody here,” Bauer said. “That was once a daily occurrence, but then COVID came along and everybody poof’d. Now radio auction is back, we get to work alongside our peeps.”

Radio auction has been a summer tradition on the airwaves of southeast Nebraska radio stations for over 30 years. Trevor has been a part of that for around 20 years. Each year, the show is a success and he talked about why.

“Where else can you listen to the radio, find something you want to bid on, and try your luck at an auction?” Steinmeyer said. “People call in and tell us it’s addictive to listen to… I don’t really know why, but it’s like an auction, you may not need that item, but you get into the heat of the battle and once you’re locked in on that item, you’re not going to let it go.”

You can participate in radio auction each Thursday afternoon in August on 94.7 FM, 1450 AM KWBE and Ol Red 99.5.