posted on February 9, 2002 06:06:58 AM new
Hi Everyone,
I keep hearing about a mysterious five state garage sale on some "road." Does anyone know anything about this? Know when, where, how I can get info?
posted on February 9, 2002 08:05:56 AM new
this is the worlds longest garage sale that is held, I believe, the first weekend in August. It starts in Kentucky and heads south.
I have never gotten to it yet but plan to every year.
the sale even has its own 800 telephone number. you can set up anywhere along the road that you can find a place.
posted on February 9, 2002 08:52:30 AM new
Sounds great, doesn't it?
Every year I think I will go and then every year I realize: There's only so many garage sales I can do in a day. The endless cycle of drive, spot a sale, park the car, browse, conclude there's nothing that I want, get back in the car, drive (keeping a sharp eye out for careless gawkers), spot a sale, etc. If you had a group of people you could split up the duties and that would be more efficient, but would limit your cargo-carrying capacity.
Then there are the inevitable "I saw it first!" disputes.
I don't know. But if you go and find something wonderful, let us know.
posted on February 9, 2002 04:56:59 PM new
Thanks for the info everyone. So it's real!!! HA.
I have the same sentiment that I really do get a work out right here and we have plenty of sales.... but I thought it would sure make for a fun trip and experience.
posted on February 9, 2002 06:10:06 PM new
Despite what I said, I think you're right: it's undoubtedly a fun trip and experience. From what I've heard, there's sort of a party atmosphere.
posted on February 10, 2002 05:00:47 AM new
HGTV did a big show on it last year, with a crew starting at one end and just traveling, buying and talking to other buyers and sellers. I just wanted to be there!! there are not just dealers selling. many people have their annual garage sales that weekend each year. they found towns that the whole town had their annual garage/cleanup sale that weekend.
posted on February 10, 2002 05:31:03 AM new
If you ever go, say hello to my parents! They always set up just north of Crossville, Tennessee off I-40. One word of caution....it is a madhouse near major intersections with traffic. However, because of that, a lot of sellers are also in that area. My parents have a ball and make pretty good money on it. If anyone is thinking about selling, make a trip prior to the sale and find a nice place to set up. Talk to the owner of any retail establishments because some of them will let you set up in their parking lots.
I guess I should note that my parents own a motor home for flea marketing and sales. They are pretty much self-contained. Hotel/motel space is at a premium.
[ edited by dixiebee on Feb 10, 2002 05:32 AM ]
posted on February 10, 2002 10:51:27 AM new
I had heard about this sale last year on a thread that was posted.....I would be in 7th Heaven if I got to go.....HUMMM might talk to my husband....we just bought an RV last year......sounds like a good trip even if you can't go the entire route......fill up the RV to the gills and then head home! Sounds like a plan!
posted on February 10, 2002 12:36:29 PM newbettylou: They usually sell an assortment of stuff. At the flea markets, they generally sell socks and shirts (mostly t-shirts) but my dad will occasionally make a deal, so it could have shoes, sunglasses or even produce mixed in. They will sometimes visit yard sales for stuff to re-sell like bicycles and rollerblades. Last year they took a bunch of stuff for an elderly aunt (like quilts and a few antiques) to help her get rid of some things. With my parents, you just never know. They are truly like a box of chocolates.
I almost forgot to mention that it is almost the time of year for them to sell artificial flowers. From March - May, these are big sellers in the rural south. How come? Many rural communities have "homecoming" or "decoration day" at the local cemetaries and all of the graves are spiffed up with new flowers.
My dad told me recently that he isn't making a million bucks on this stuff but it keeps him busy in retirement. I'm not so sure my mother loves keeping busy in this way but, after being married nearly 50 years, she must be in it for the long haul.
posted on February 10, 2002 12:41:49 PM new
We went last year.It was great.I set up on the HWY 127 in Kentucky and wet on to Tennessee,Georgia.We got too tired to go to the fourth one.We were from Ohio!
posted on February 10, 2002 12:48:33 PM new
"tailgateman".....I'm also from ohio, the southeastern part of Ohio along the Ohio River.......how many hours of driving did it take you to see some sales on the horizon?? What part of Ohio were you traveling from?
posted on February 10, 2002 03:03:40 PM new
Well from Cleveland and it took us from leaving at 11:00 at night to about 6 am in the morning we arrived in Kentucky.If you leave later you get alot of traffic for the working people.You do howver have to leave on a wednesday because they start on Thursday.On Wednesday is the neighbor thing where they go whever they want first.And its only four states.Kentucky,Tennessee,Georgia and Alabama.On HWY 127
posted on February 10, 2002 03:16:00 PM new
Thanks "tailgateman".....I live about 2 1/2 hours south of you......just talked to my husband and we have a trip planned to take his mom and dad out west that same week........now I'm trying to talk him into re-routing to include at least a little bit of this yard sale.....
posted on February 11, 2002 01:31:29 PM new
and I am right in the middle of Ohio, just east of Columbus. I am really hoping to go this year, it just looks like great fun.
