The annual MOMA auction has been going on in the Twin Cities every year since who-knows-when. It's always been in the fall.
You can find results from it in this online database from 1995 through 2014 (the last year that they did it as a traditional in-person live auction.)
http://coinop411.web44.net/auc.php
Quoted from AAAV8R:...that it wouldn’t be a bunch of junk nobody wanted. I think I may bid on a couple of things for fun to see if I can get a steal on something.
Don't assume that any item "isn't junk". This auction is when the Operators get rid of the stuff that they don't want anymore. There's always tons of "junk". They're only supposed to bring stuff that's been checked and is working, but some Ops still bring non-working games, empty cabinets, etc. It's been a lot of years since there were this many pinball games on it, so that's interesting. If you're seriously interested in bidding on anything, go check it out in person during the inspection hours on Monday. Something may be "working", but that doesn't mean that it's complete, fully working, or completely lacking in problems.
Few things go for a "steal" - unless you like ticket-spewing redemption machines or crane machines. Especially since they went to an online auction a few years back, stuff seems to often get bid up to insane prices (plus buyer's premium).
Deals are possible, but you have to be cautious.