Texas' best auctioneers compete

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SAN MARCOS, Texas, June 17 (UPI) -- San Marcos, Texas, is full of fast-talkers this weekend as members of the Texas Auctioneers Association hold their annual convention.

They gather to compete for bragging rights as the state's best auctioneer and ringman -- the person who acts as intermediary between the auctioneer and the bidders in the audience. Association members have gotten together every year since 1957 to polish their skills, network and improve their profession, the Austin American-Statesman reported Saturday.

In competition they are graded on delivery, poise, eye contact and gestures.

Some auctioneers say the business runs in the family, others just get hooked on it.

"It's just in your blood," said Lori Lemons-Campbell of Tomball, whose father was an auctioneer for 45 years.

"It's the only job you can have where you get to holler at people and they stand there listening to you," said Richard Zuber of Wichita Falls. "It's also like being an entertainer. It's sort of like being Jay Leno."

"I always wanted to be that guy on the block," said Kyle Dykes, a Texas A&M University student from Killeen who was competing for the first time.