World's Longest Yard Sale - don't go!

Thanks for the warning. My husband has been wanting to go to this since seeing the HGTV special. He loves old junk. The thought of spending all that time in the car driving from town to town is not my idea of a fun vacation, though.

You flew from Calfornia to Ohio for a yard sale? How were you planning on getting your stuff back to California?

To each his own - I am just amazed that you would do that. Sorry it was not a good trip - it actually would seem intriguing to me if I lived within easy driving distance.

smbruner
How does that work? Each town along the way has their residents bring stuff to a town hall? And then you just stop at a designated place?

We did a portion of the sale this year and really enjoyed it. Of course, we didn't fly halfway across the country for it, so that might have helped our perspective. Basically, the way it works is that people who live along the route and want to get rid of stuff, set up yard sales for four days. Mile after mile, you pass houses with tables out in the yard. In some spots, like school or church parking lots, organizations will rent out lots to people/antique dealers, so you will have lots to look at in one stop.

We started at Harrodsburg, KY and drove down to Russell Springs. It was probably 9:30am when we hit the first sale, and it took us until 5:30 to get to Russell Springs. Yes, there was a lot of junk, but my husband did score a nice meat smoker for $30 and I got an antique thoroughbred horse print that I love. You know the old saying, "One man's junk is another man's treasure" and that's basically what this is all about. There are some professional dealers along the route, and they tended to have higher prices, but we also noticed that as the day got late (we went on Saturday) that people were much more willing to negotiate. However, the bulk of the sale is just ordinary people who have cleaned out their attics and garages.

At any rate, we drove through beautiful countryside and had a great time when we stopped at an Amish farm/bakery in between Liberty and Dunnville, KY. Since we only live a couple of hours away, it was a great way to spend a Saturday.

Please, smbruner, do not take this as criticism. You have done a service by alerting others. However, gail, as your fellow MA fodorite, even before I saw your response, I was telling my husband, "You have got to hear this." My response was virtually identical to yours, and while I mean no disrespect or hurtfulness to the OP, this definitely was my comic relief for the day.

All I can say is that HGTV must have done one heck of a sales pitch for the evern!

If you like flea markets the one in Shipshewanna, Indiana is supposed to be a great one. Have to been to Shipshewanna but not on flea market day so would like to go back.

http://www.shipshewana.com/
Its a great place to visit but don't plan on doing anything on a Sunday as it is Amish country.
There are many Amish furniture building businesses.

Couldn't you find something similar closer to you?

There are a number of similar events around the country. For example, here in Kansas we have the U.S. Highway 36 Treasure Hunt.

Kieth

I feel the same way about the much praised First Monday Trade Days in Canton, Texas. Most of the tables are filled with junk that you wouldn't take if it was free. But if the vendor has one thing of value, the price is sky high. I agree - eBay for better deals.

Thanks for this report.

Unfortunately, i have yet to see ANY "yard sale" or "flea market" or whatever name you wish to call it that did NOT have what at least one participant would consider outright "junk."

But I also understand that some folks are drawn to these sorts of things which is fine but how anyone such as yourselves (who have, I suspect, been to such sales before) can seem that suprised that there was "junk" is kinda beyond me.

Perhaps I have misinterpreted your reaction and what you were really saying is you were suprised there was SO MUCH "junk."

I have gone to this sale for the last 4 years and LOVE IT! Yes, there is a lot of junk - as expected! But there are also a lot of wonderful bargains. And yes, I sell on ebay - the prices are low and this is one of my buying trips. So no, the prices are not better on ebay. Last year I bought a set of Italian pottery by Vietri for $22 (which I sold on ebay for a total of $850),a set of Wedgwood for $50 (which I sold for $600) and a set of Spode Iris for $200 which I sold for a whopping $1200. And this is just a fraction of what I bought. There are wonderful bargains to be found and I met so many interesting people. Yes, you have to be selective. But that's the fun!! The scenery is beautiful. If you don't like one sale - get in your car and go to the next town. You will see so many different vendors.

There are areas where there are just 1 individual sale. THen there are areas in fields and in church parking lots where you may see hundreds of vendors. There is something for everyone.

I can't wait for this year's sale!!

Jill

As is clearly the case here, Jill, you and OP have such opposite perceptions of the same event, b/c your purposes are so different! OP was on vacation w/shopping as an event while you are on a business trip, which while enjoyable has the outcome of earning money for you as its goal......

I like junk!
What are the start and end towns of this event?

I haven't revisited this forum since I posted. Interesting comments. Perhaps my perspective is different because I was the driver! Which made it an exhausting weekend. We really did enjoy meeting the people of the states and towns we visited. I just wanted to make sure that others knew that it is very spread out and somewhat difficult to drive. Parking, getting out of the car - back into the car to drive a bit further. Just not for me I have learned. We were totally drawn into it because of the HGTV special. My husband collects antique radios, phones and fans and IF we were to find something we would've shipped it home. It was our vacation - not a trip to make money or anything.

Here is a link to the map of the sale - (or search "world's longest yard sale" and it will pop up!
http://www.127sale.com/127%20Map%2005%20Inside.pdf

My brother-in-law takes part in this every year as a seller setup on the Lookout Mountain Parkway segment (in NE Alabama) of the "Worlds Longest Yard Sale".

All through the rest of the year, he is going to yard sales, estate sales, flea markets, etc. to find stuff to sell during this big event in August.

He has sold brass beds, old pictures, rocking chairs, cast iron kettles, chifferobes, silverware, pots and pans.... all kinds of stuff.... he doesn't make a mint, but he enjoys sitting out and meeting all the people that come by and stop to see his wares.

And although I live in the town at the southern end of the "Worlds Longest Yard Sale", I've yet to actually attend it myself....

Keith

This thread was started in August 2008, just before some drastic stuff happened to the national economy. I can't help wondering how this will affect yard saling in general. Will more people part with "good stuff" because they need the money? Will there be more buyers looking for bargains, or fewer buyers, because people are cutting out optional shopping?

Interesting question, Anonymous. I think there may be more "good stuff" sold as a way to raise money. Others are always on the lookout for a good deal. I know a lot of folks look forward to the 127 Yard sale each year. Yes, much of it is just like the junk you have at home, but to someone else, it might just be that treasure they have been searching for.
If you are interested in such events, another one is held in Kentucky each year:
The 400 Miles of Antiques, Collectibles & Stuff sale runs from June 4-7 in 2009 and sales and events are planned all along the route (US Highway 68) from Paducah to Maysville.

I bet more nice things will be on sale this year as a way to raise money. Have you seen how the furniture section of Craigslist is brimming with great deals of very nice furniture over what used to be old tabbles and couches of the past? Someone should go and report back!

It is silly to have come across the country for this, but one man's trash is always another's treasure. Hillsville WVA has a city wide yard sale over Labor Day. You never know what will turn up--that is why it is called "antiquing" or "collecting", or whatever.
There's a huge one in Texas the week of the Roundtop market.

Just found this article on how to do the yard sale for those of you interested.

The World's Longest Yard Sale

By Peter Greenberg, May 2009

Peter Greenberg takes you on a trip through five states as he follows the "Highway 127 Yard Sale"

http://www.aarpmagazine.org/travel/worlds_longest_yard_sale.html

Hmmm, wonder if that is the same one that appeared in the Sunday Parade magazine insert of many major newspapers. I saw it yesterday---did not read it---but thought of this post when I saw that the article had the same title!

I'm heading back for my 5th year. And I also fly from California. Tons and tons of really bad stuff but my sister and I have a great time! Yes, socialworker, there was an article in Parade on Sunday, same event.

You might enjoy my "Dear 127 Corridor Sellers" blog that I just posted this afternoon. Talks about a lot of the "junk" and is humorous until you realize I'm not kidding!

http://www.grouseandbadger.blogspot.com

First of all, I've never been.
I usually skip the flea markets anytime.
But, most folks that I DO know that go, just visit a small portion of the route.
I can't imagine driving the entire route

If I were in the area I'd go just to see what's there. Yes, I imagine lots of junk.

Seems like it would be a good thing for solvent dealers who have some storage space. People may be willing to get rid of some things cheap, that when the economy gets going again will be worth more. Who knows.

grouseandbadger,

Loved your blog entry much more than I would like the sale since I'm not a shopper. Thanks for sharing.

A friend that helps me clean house once in a while had a place set up and they made $700. She was very happy..but, I bet $350 worth of that stuff was mine!!!

My daughter, her best friend, my best friend and I are going to the sale this year. If we don't find anything...thats fine. I know that we're going to have a GREAT time! Packing up the motorhome and hitting the road. We're in NW Ohio. We plan to drive to Gadsden, AL and drive 127 all the way home. Hopefully with all kinds of goodies from the sale.

Help! My girlfriend from Chicago, IL and I (Asheville, NC)were planning on going this year (Aug 09)- meeting in or around Danville, KY. It's about 5-hr drive for both of us. Is it work the drive to go at all? Is there a better section to go to? We both like yard sales and don't mind looking through stuff... I'm reading conflicting blogs - need advice asap.

I don't know how true this is but I've been told that KY doesn't have the best stuff. Lol.....but who knows, one women's trash is another woman's treasure.

Only in America

I just found this site and read several of the comments on the their trip. This will be our ninth year, and right after the last four trips I swear I'm not going back. But I always seem to come home with a truck full of treasures, and I am now in the process of planning out my route. Its true that there have been some bad years, especially the year after the tax man came thru and hit the vendors. And its also true that alot of the dealers don't know the meaning of the word sale or bargain. But there are alot of nice people up there who do, especially the people who live there and have the true yard sale. My husband and our 3 shih tzus load up our Rv and its a trip we enjoy seeing who can spot the best bargain and just looking and have a nice time. I'm from the deep south, I can talk to anyone, as my husband will testifiy to, I enjoy meeting the people and seeing what treasures I can find to decorate with, last year I found everything, including the dishes and table and chairs for my truely southern front porch. I hope people will take the sale in the spirit it is meant to be, go shop, look for the treasure you never know you might find under all that junk, and meet interesting people and enjoy the ride. Here's to the sale of 2009

If you like yard sales or flea markets, Hillsville VA on I77 Labor day weekend is HUGE, took us two days of walking and did not cover it all. Just drive to Hillsville park the car and go looking for bargains to your heart's content.

I just wanted to chime in and say that last year was one of the dud years. The year before was good but gas was crazy high and the heat was overbearing - so last year took the hit with fewer good vendors. I was really disappointed last year but have a feeling this year will be a good one - who knows? It's a gamble. BUT the trip is a HOOT. The people are interesting and friendly. The countryside is lovely. It's an adventure. No guarantees, just go and have fun. (though I confess HGTV does make it seem a lot better than it is in terms of great finds)

This is to anniej, glad to hear someone see's the trip as I do, its an adventure, you never know what its going to be like, a good year which is always great, or a bad one which is always diappointing. I know I have fussed and fussed at times, but I always go back, my husband just shakes his head at me when I say it cause he knows about a month before the sale I'll be on this computer deciding where I want to start. Even though I'm from Al, I always seem to find more in Tn. Last year wasn't as good as the year before to me in AL, I'm like you hoping with gas prices lower this year more people will go, but with the economoy more people will want to sale which will mean better stuff and prices for us bargin hunters. Tv does push it. I'd love to hear where others feel their best place to start have been. We have done the whole thing, but quit, because we find more from Gadsden, Al to Crossville,TN, Happy Hunting

Hi! I just had to add my two cents worth. I attended my first sale over 12 years ago, and did the section from Gadsden AL to just outside of Chattanooga, TN. Since that time, I've done portions of the sale at least seven times, and one of those was from Gadsden to Covington, KY which was pretty much the whole route.Yes there is a lot of junk, but there is also a lot of junque. There are certain types of collectables I am looking for, and yes, some do get sold on Ebay, but the best have been kept for me! A fellow collector told me last year that he wouldn't waste his time because everything would be gone by Thursday noon. I brought back an albumin image in a gutta percha case that he felt was worth a couple hundred dollars. I told him that I found it on Saturday afternoon on the sale. He asked if I paid some obscene price like $25.00, and I replied no, just $20.00! Seriously, I have seen everything from fine European antiques outside of Gadsden, to someone who took a recently made "antique" cavalry sword imported from India and hand stamped Bailey Banks and Biddle 1861 on it, hoping to get a mere $1,200.00. And for every vender who has interesting items, there is a yard full of baby clothes and beanie babies.... to each his own. If you don't like what you see, go down the road, there are thousands more. Honestly I enjoy seeing what is for sale, as well as who is selling and who is buying. Yes, there are things I go looking for, but still end up with assorted Christmas presents, and as well as that item that just screams out BUY ME!!! even though I didn't know I needed it till then.
Little things I would share include it is very easy to get lost between DeSoto Park in Alabama and route 127 north of Chattanooga. I would also give a special Thank You to the many churches in Kentucky that set up "Oasises" along the route with air conditioned halls that stocked water, soda and other welcome refreshments. Heading north out of Gadsden, about 15 or so miles on the left is a church that sells barbecue and other refreshments I always have lunch at. Anyway, I've always enjoyed the sale, I hope to go this year, if finances will allow. BTW, I'm from the Baltimore-Washington metro area, and I have gone noth to south and south to north. Unfortunately I have not done the section in Ohio yet.

Last year a friend and I drove the Ohio section. It was very spotty-not very many participated-yet.

This year we are heading south and going to the "Uncliamed luggage" store in AL first-can't wait!!!!

First, full disclosure: I'll be a vendor/seller for the first time this year at the 127 Yard Sale, Eagle Lake Convention Center just north of Lawrenceburg, KY (Anderson County). It's about 32 miles from Danville on, of course, U.S. 127 (Google Map it at 1006 Eagle Lake Rd, Lawrenceburg, KY‎). I sell mostly jewelry (vintage and original, artisan jewelry) and artisan totes, along with nice yard sale-type items - anything from vintage/collectible to new things. Can't speak for all of them, but I know a few of the vendors who have set up at Eagle Lake in years past. They are lovely people, who like to have fun and who sell neat items. Prices will vary from vendor to vendor, no doubt, but I'm sure there are bargains to be found. I have tried to price my yard sale items, as well as the artisan jewelry, very reasonably. Besides the convention center, I think the Frankfort/Lawrenceburg/Danville area has a LOT of yard sales every year. Yes, you'll find junk and, yes, you'll find treasures - just the nature of the beast. My advice is try out the area, stop by Eagle Lake (where you'll also find food and restrooms), and keep an open mind. It's beautiful country with friendly people. Can't go too wrong there. Hope you enjoy!

P.S. If hunger pangs strike while in or around Frankfort, KY, check out Casa Fiesta on U.S. 127, or hit I-64 East (right off U.S. 127), go about four miles, take the Frankfort/Versailles exit, turn right onto U.S. 60 and go about a mile to Miguel's (it's on the right). Looking for a casual tea room? Candleberry Tea Room is on Lousiville Road, which is very close to U.S. 127 - just a stone's throw. It's one of the top 100 tea rooms in the United States. It's not fussy - you can wear shorts and the like. Check out directions on candleberrytearoom.com.

Thanks. I'm crossing this off my bucket list. It was right between climbing Mount Fuji at sunrise and seeing Machu Picchu.

I am planning to go this year for the first time and was wondering if the sale is as active on Sunday or if Saturday is the big climax? I know in many rural parts of the US little to nothing is open on a Sunday, is this the case with this sale or should I plan to get the best deals on that day?

You can get the best deals whichever day you desire. It's all in recognizing them -- last day or first day. I've never been on a Sunday, but note that most vendors really bristle at the suggestion that they don't want to "pack it up." Why not? It's not tomatoes (usually) and won't rot -- and there's always another place to sell next week or month or year.

Given all that, you will have a wonderful time! And some of the traffic may have abated on Sunday so that could make traveling easier I'd think. Don't forget that this year's event is shorter, so that may not happen. Happy hunting!

Concerning shopping on Sunday, I have done it several times now. Generally Saturday is much better, however, I have still found deals up till about noontime Sunday. Keep in mind some venders are coming a couple hundred miles as are some of the buyers (I'm coming from Maryland)so it will start to thin out early. I've also observed that some of the locals in Kentucky were closed on Sunday with a polite note at a couple homes noting that they had opted to go to church, and hoped they would see us next year. BTW, lisacreque, enjoy the unclaimed luggage store at Scottsboro. Some items will be overpriced, some items will be great. I would suggest that it might be better at a different time of year, as I did notice when I did the yardsale starting in Alabama, several venders towards Fort Payne I talked to had stocked up earlier at Scottsboro. Also worth noting: there were a few smaller stores around the main shop run by locals who get to shop the main store often, and these are worth checking out. Just to give you an idea that almost anything can show up unclaimed, during one visit about 5 years ago, I bought a set of original World War One German medals for less than half of what they were worth. Another secret about Scottsboro... ask about the Scottsboro trade day. I believe they do it the 1st Monday of every month. I was fortunate to be there on a Labor Day about 6 years ago and left with an empty wallet and a full trunk. Good Luck!!!

I went 2 years ago and met my bestfriend in Kentucky. We only traveled in Kentucky and had a blast! This year I am hitting Ohio. Alas my girlfriend can not go with me. But I know I will have a great time. Junk or not the looking is the fun. The buying is the cherry on top. If you see something that offends you then walk away. Alas slavery shackles is shameful in our history but if you look at the fact that things are better now and they are just reminders of our dark past. But this yardsale it is time away and a break in what we normally do. Count down 4 days and 2 hours11 i AM SO EXCITED.