Ferris To Lead Speed On The Water Key West Bash Auction – Speed on the Water

The most sought-after charity auctioneer in the performance-boating world, Nolan Ferris will finish out his 2023 auction season, which included outstanding six-figure efforts at the Kuttawa Cannonball Run and Super Cat Fest, leading the live auction at the 10th annual Speed On The Water Key West Bash. The event is set for Thursday, November 9, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Pickles Pub Sandbar on Greene Street.

Captured here with longtime friend Kelly O’Hara, Nolan Ferris (left) will reprise his role as the original auctioneer for the Speed On The Water Key West Bash charity auction benefitting Samuel’s House. Photo courtesy Devin Wozencraft/Wozencraft Insurance Agency.

Proceeds will go to Samuel’s House—a Key West-based shelter for women and intact families in a safe and sober environment—as they have since 2016 when the celebration raised $3,500 for the non-profit organization through direct donations. In his last go-round as auctioneer for the celebration in 2021, Ferris encouraged bidding generosity to the tune of $80,000-plus for the charity.

The Upstate New York resident officially committed this morning.

“The end result—who it helps and how it helps them—is the important part of all this,” said Ferris, who is not compensated for his efforts by speedonthewater.com. “In all honesty, my schedule is not the most forgiving and flexible at this point my life, but I always think, ‘What if that person in need of help, the person in that unfortunate situation, was a family member, a friend or even me?’

“I don’t know where the ‘wit’ comes from during an auction,” he continued, then chuckled. “Some of it is probably natural. But it’s not just me. I may set the mood, but the generous people in front of me are responsible for the outcome.”

Led by MTI-V 57 center console owner Todd Campbell, the auction raised an event-record-setting $105,000 for the charity last year. The fundraiser was held inside the host venue last year. This time around, it will be held outdoors—weather permitting—on Greene Street, which will be closed thanks to Larry Bleil of Race World Offshore, for the celebration.

Asked if he’s shooting top Campbell’s effort, Ferris laughed. “Of course I want to,” he quipped. “Who wouldn’t?”