The annual Kissimmee Mecum auto auction is in full swing at Osceola Heritage Park through Sunday.
This year over 3,500 vehicles are registered for sale, including rare historic racing cars, entire collections of vintage Corvettes, and novelty vehicles from television and film. These photos show a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes the people of Mecum Auctions and Heritage Park managers ASM Global, to set up the property for the auction, and a ‘before’ and ‘after’ look at the display and auction space once it opened.
Preparation started just before the Christmas holidays when over 13 acres of tents were set up around the buildings. Several of the large tents include aluminum and glass “storefronts” and carpeting. And then Thursday, the doors swung open, and thousands of car and car art enthusiasts have come pouring in in the first week, making the event come alive.
Calee Watson, Director of Bookings and Event Services for Heritage Park, has worked with Mecum Auctions throughout their 17-year history in Kissimmee. “It’s almost like a family reunion at the start of each year,” Watson said. “You see many of the same people with Mecum year to year.”
Harold Gerdes, Vice President of Operations for Mecum, said the event is staffed by over 500 people working for Mecum, including over 50 people involved with the live television production of the auction on Motor Trend TV.
