It's an event that has captured the interest of thousands. Day two of the auction for former Dixon Comptroller Rita Crundwell's horses took place Monday. Crundwell is accused of stealing 53 million dollars from Dixon. Her world-renowned horses have been auctioned off one-by-one over two days. Tractors, trailers, saddles, and other equipment have also been sold.
While final numbers are not in for Monday's sale, on Sunday the auction brought in around 2.5 million dollars. The big money maker was a world champion quarter horse that sold for $775,000. Other horses sold for anywhere from $3,000 up to more than $50,000. Crundwell's tack also raked in retail prices, with hand crafted saddles going for $10,000.
However, is wasn't just the horse auction that has brought in the big bucks, the thousands of people in town also gave Dixon a much needed economic boost.
"We've been busy all weekend it's a blessing," said Aimee Long, a waitress and Catering Manager for Mama Cimino's.
The Dixon restaurant is well known in for it's authentic Italian with an American twist, but now they are making a whole new name for themselves, as the food of choice for buyers at the Crundwell auction. We've been following the team for weeks as they prepare to fill hungry stomachs both on site and at their restaurant.
"We've had a different crowd with all this happening, a lot of deliveries out to the hotels and things like that. It's been a wonderful marketing tool, just a pleasure to work with the community and help out with an event like this," Long said.
Mayor Jim Burke said after all the community has been through, seeing all these visitors is a welcome sight.
"It feels real good to finally see something positive come out of this thing."
He said the auction has spurred world wide interest, bringing in nearly 3,000 people who have been opening their wallets for much more than just horses.
"I think people have spent several hundred thousand dollars, with all gasoline, and all the food and hotel rooms and everything," Burke said.
Kathy Cole came in from Virginia and has been in town all week prepping horses. She said the city has definitely been taking in some of her hard earned cash.
"We've eaten out every meal," she said.
We've been told all the hotels in Dixon, as well as outlying communities have been booked for weeks because of the auction. Mayor Burke said the city could continue to be busy with visitors for the rest of the week as well, because buyers do have five days pick up their horses.
