Calgary

Call yourself a Heartland superfan? Now's your chance to own a piece of the show

If you've spent one too many hours binge-watching old seasons of Heartland, there's an auction with your name on it. 

Live online auction to end March 24

Promotional image for season 17 of CBC's heartland shows the cast posing together in a field. Amber is standing with a horse.
A poster of the cast for the show's 17th season. A portion of the auction's proceeds will go to two local Alberta charities. (CBC)

If you've spent one too many hours binge-watching old seasons of Heartland, there's an auction with your name on it. 

The popular television show is based on a fictional book series of the same name by Lauren Brooke. It follows Amy Fleming, her sister, Lou, and the rest of their family through the ups and downs of living on an Alberta-based ranch.  

Until this Sunday, fans of one of Canada's longest-running TV dramas —  17 seasons so far — will have the chance to buy props and other items from the show in a live online bidding war that's garnered international attention. 

"We've gotten people registered from around the world," said Kevin King, president of Halls Auction Services — the website that's hosting the sale. 

"I talked to some lady from Australia today and someone from Scotland has expressed interest, certainly a lot of Americans." 

While there are still days to go before the winning bids are awarded their prize, King said certain items have soared in popularity since being posted. 

The bid on one of Amy's cowboy hats worn in the show currently sits at $1,100. The engagement ring belonging to Ty — Amy's husband until Season 14 — is another hot ticket item, sitting at a price of $220.

Other items for sale include pieces of Lou's jewelry, Lou's adopted daughter Georgie's pink trick riding outfit, Amy and Ty's business cards and a table and chairs from the fictitious Maggie's Diner

A tan cowboy hat next to a picture of a woman riding a horse.
A tan felt Smithbilt cowboy hat worn by Amy in Season 2, Episode 4, is up for grabs at the online auction. (Submitted by Hall's Auction Services)

The auction marks the first time the show has sought to sell off items at this scale. Executive producer Tom Cox said the team was motivated by the fans, and by a dwindling amount of storage space. 

"We realized that we had an enormous amount of wardrobe especially, but a few props and set [decoration] items as well from early seasons mainly that were not in active use," he said.

"And we decided that we could do two good things at once. We could clean out our closets and drawers and cupboards a little bit to make room for new items ... and at the same time do something interesting that might be fun for fans." 

Cox said the two charities chosen to receive a portion of the auction's proceeds were inspired by cast members. 

"Amber Marshall, who plays Amy, is very, very involved in the conservation and humane treatment of wild horses ... and so the Wild Horses of Alberta Society was a choice that she was certainly involved in.... And Michelle [Morgan], who plays Lou, is very involved in the Calgary Food Bank."

After learning about the auction, fans expressed fears over social media that it signalled the end of the beloved show. 

Cox said that couldn't be further from the truth, as the show is expected to return for an 18th season. 

"This ... show remains very popular ... and it continues to do well around the world. So this is not at all to do with a lying down. This only has to do with making room so that hopefully in the seasons to come we can purchase new things."

The auction will officially end at 12 p.m. MT on Sunday, March 24. To take part, fans have to register online at Halls Auction Services before placing any bids. 

Even Cox said he's tempted to get in on the action. 

"I have to say I've had my eye on the table and chairs from Maggie's. But I have a young daughter who is also eyeing a couple of Amber's old pieces of clothing. A shirt with a peace sign on it caught her eye in particular." 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kylee is a reporter with CBC Calgary. You can reach her at kylee.pedersen@cbc.ca

With files from Rachel Maclean