Day Trips Family Fun Michigan Weekend Getaways November 9, 2022 7 min read

Hillsdale Auction Michigan: A Saturday Morning Tradition

This one is personal for us.

Hillsdale, Michigan is the town where we grew up, and the Hillsdale Auction is one of those places we have memories tied to from childhood. Catie’s dad would take her on Saturday mornings, breakfast at Spanglers, a walk through the animals, a wander around the flea market. It was just what you did on a Saturday in Hillsdale.

Hillsdale Auction Sales Barn Hillsdale Michigan on YouTube

Now when we visit family, we still stop by. We grab breakfast, walk the grounds, see what is for sale, and catch up with the energy of a place that has been doing the same thing every single Saturday since at least 1913. Some things you just do not mess with.

If you have never been to a real working auction in a small Michigan town, the Hillsdale Auction is the place to go. It is unlike anything else we cover on this site and it is one of those experiences that feels completely removed from the usual tourist trail.

What Is the Hillsdale Auction?

The Hillsdale Auction is a weekly livestock auction and flea market held every Saturday at the Hillsdale County Fairgrounds in Hillsdale, Michigan. It has been running continuously since at least 1913, and some documents suggest it may go back as far as 1905. That makes it over 100 years of the same community gathering in the same place to buy, sell, and trade.

It is known as the Working Person’s Auction and that name fits perfectly. This is not an antique fair or a curated market. It is farmers, local vendors, families, and deal hunters all in one place doing what small town Michigan has always done on a Saturday morning.

Current owners Guy and Deb Russell took over the auction in 2016, having first started working there in 2013. The auction runs multiple rings simultaneously which means on any given Saturday you might have four or five auctioneers calling bids at the same time in different parts of the grounds. It is loud, busy, and worth every minute.

Location and Address

Hillsdale County Fairgrounds 115 S Broad Street Hillsdale, MI 49242

Phone: 517-437-2424

Hillsdale is in southern Michigan near the Indiana and Ohio borders, about two hours southwest of Detroit and roughly three hours from Chicago. It is a genuine small town and the fairgrounds sit right at the heart of it.

Hours and Schedule

The flea market opens at 7 am and runs until 2 pm. The auctions run throughout the morning on a set schedule:

9:00 am — Miscellaneous auction. Up to four or five auctioneers running simultaneously. This is where you find tools, household goods, collectibles, and just about anything else you can imagine.

10:00 am — Small animals. Poultry, rabbits, and more.

11:30 am — Hay and feeder pigs.

1:00 pm — Large animals. Cattle, goats, sheep, horses, and more.

The auction runs 50 weeks a year, rain or shine. The only Saturdays it does not run are the two Saturdays during the Hillsdale County Fair at the end of September. Every other Saturday of the year, it is happening.

What to Expect

The flea market is set up throughout the fairgrounds and changes week to week. Some vendors are regulars, some are one-time sellers clearing out a garage or a barn. You never know what you will find. We have walked through and spotted everything from farm equipment to vintage signs to fresh produce to handmade crafts. Budget time to wander because that is where the fun is.

The animal auctions are a whole experience on their own. If you have never watched a live livestock auction, it is worth seeing at least once. The pace is fast, the auctioneers are good, and the barn fills up with locals who know exactly what they are doing. Even if you are not buying, just watching is interesting.

The atmosphere is what makes this place. People are friendly. You will find yourself in conversations with strangers, hearing stories about farms and families and things for sale. It has the feeling of a community gathering that has been happening so long it is just part of the rhythm of the town.

Breakfast at Spanglers Stock Yard Restaurant

Do not skip breakfast. Spanglers Stock Yard Family Restaurant on the auction grounds has been a Saturday morning tradition for families in Hillsdale for decades.

Home cooked meals, local crowd, exactly the kind of breakfast spot that does not exist in cities anymore. Catie has been going since she was a kid and it has not changed.

Get there early because it fills up fast on Saturday mornings.

Tips Before You Go

Bring cash. Most vendors and the auction itself operate on cash. There may be card options available but do not count on it.

Go early. The flea market opens at 7 am and the best stuff goes fast. If you want to browse before the crowds show up, aim to be there by 8.

Wear comfortable shoes. The fairgrounds are spread out and you will be on your feet for a while, including some unpaved areas.

Check Facebook first. The Hillsdale Auction posts pictures on Fridays showing items coming in for Saturday’s sale. It is a good way to see what is going to be there before you make the drive.

If you want to sell, flea market spots can be purchased at the auction office starting at 7 am on the day of the auction. No advance reservation needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does the Hillsdale Auction start? The flea market opens at 7 am. The miscellaneous auction starts at 9 am, small animals at 10 am, hay and feeder pigs at 11:30 am, and large animals at 1 pm. Plan to be there early if you want the full experience.

Is the Hillsdale Auction open year round? Yes, with two exceptions. The auction runs every Saturday of the year except for the two Saturdays during the Hillsdale County Fair at the end of September. That is 50 Saturdays a year, rain or shine.

Is there food at the Hillsdale Auction? Yes. Spanglers Stock Yard Family Restaurant is on the grounds and serves breakfast on Saturday mornings. It is a local institution and gets busy. Go early.

How much does it cost to get in? Getting in to browse the flea market and watch the auctions is free. You only pay if you buy something or want to set up as a vendor.

Can you sell at the Hillsdale Auction? Yes. Flea market vendor spots can be purchased at the auction office starting at 7 am on Saturday morning. For consigning animals or other items in the formal auction, call the office at 517-437-2424 in advance.

Where is the Hillsdale Auction located? At the Hillsdale County Fairgrounds, 115 S Broad Street, Hillsdale, MI 49242. Phone: 517-437-2424.

More Michigan Adventures

If you are making the drive to Hillsdale, it is worth looking at what else is nearby. Hillsdale College is a well known institution right in town and the downtown area has some good spots to walk around. Michigan has a lot of underrated small towns and Hillsdale is one of them.

If you’re in the area in the fall, you should take a few drives around and take in the fall colors.