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

Old Jul 27th, 2009, 05:24 PM
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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!
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Old Jul 28th, 2009, 06:33 PM
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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!!!
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Old Aug 1st, 2009, 06:34 PM
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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.
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Old Aug 1st, 2009, 07:41 PM
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If it makes you feel any better, shackles and slave tags are generally always recent reproductions.
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Old Jul 6th, 2010, 04:06 PM
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Sorry to read so many bad reviews. Had planned to do this this summer while my man is off in Mongolia hunting.
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Old Jul 6th, 2010, 04:27 PM
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I think everyone longs for that mystical yardsale where the contents of Buckingham palace are being sold for pennies. Alas it is just a myth. Yes, you find a couple of good things and paw through junk, but I would take it over going to a maul (mall) any day.

BTW. I found one such yard sale. We were driving past a farmhouse less than a mile from us. The nephew was just driving the yardsale sign in the ground in anticipation of the next morning. We pulled and introduced ourselves as neighbors. We got pottery for a buck. In all we paid $20 (it was all we had on us) we came home with a couple of hundred dollars worth of pre-WW2 kitchen ware.
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Old Jul 19th, 2010, 01:32 PM
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My husband and I went a couple of years ago and are planning to go this August, 2010. It was the yard sale of all yard sales!!! I was in yard sale heaven!!! I don't mind digging through the junk!! The best places were the sales in pastures where they had lots of tents up for each booth!!!
Not knowing what to expect or where to stay or where we would even be, I'm glad we brought an ice chest and of course we had to sleep in the rented van the first night in a Walmart parking lot!!! What an adventure!!!!
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Old Jul 21st, 2010, 04:14 PM
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I will be selling my homemade lye soaps for $5.00 a bar!! We will be at Noccalula Falls State Park in Gadsden, AL section b space 13 under a white tent with Sassy Mermaid's logo on top. Please come by and buy a bar or two! I am originally from there but moved to the Gulf Coast and now due to the oil spill I am trying to move back home to Gadsden, AL.
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Old Aug 10th, 2010, 05:51 PM
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This was my third longest yard sale and I must say that I was disappointed. It should be renamed longest dealer sale and junk. Prices were high. Crowds were bigger, I suspect because of the HGTV shows. But the people were friendly - both the vendors and the other buyers. The hotels on the route really gouge you. I spent $170 for a Holiday Inn Express room in Crossville, TN.

Next year instead of the longest yardsale, we are going to try the 100 Mile Yardsale in Pennsylvania.
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Old Aug 19th, 2010, 06:04 AM
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A friend and I went (my first time). We started Friday by driving to Dunlap, TN and drove north to Crossville, TN in one day and had the best time. Found tons of stuff for our antique booth that we have in Birmingham, AL. Next year we plan on renting a van or trailer so we can bring it all back.
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Old Oct 25th, 2010, 04:51 PM
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We are thinking about taking our first trip next year, fly in and renting a truck. Where is the best State to start? Always looking for old glass gumball/peanut machines, porcelain signs, old toys.
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Old Oct 25th, 2010, 05:16 PM
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It is totally hit or miss, just like any flea market.
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Old Oct 25th, 2010, 05:17 PM
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All you dealers ought to think about the Texas yard sale around the time of Roundtop.
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Old Apr 14th, 2011, 01:04 PM
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Friends and I are disregarding smbruner's advice, and going to the yardsale. IF you've attended, could you offer advice? Typically - and I know that there are lots of variables - how many miles do you cover in a day? I've heard that reservations are necessary in advance. Is that just along Rte. 127, or does it apply to Interstate 75 hotels, also? Finally (for now!), I'm thinking that the closer one gets to the oldest "host" (Jamestown, TN) of the yardsale, the more yardsales there will be. What has been your experience? We're coming from the Wash. DC area, and planning on going north from Crossville. Any suggestions for restaurants, interesting shops, interesting sights, along the way? Thanks.
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Old Apr 14th, 2011, 01:20 PM
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We stopped at few of the sales in Tennessee a few years ago, some were bigger than others. I agree, there was a lot of junk, and some yard sale items were too big to take back on the plane with us. Our only purchase was a basket of farm ripe peaches for cheap. As for antiques and collectables, we had better luck at the antique shops along the Kentucky back roads.
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Old Jun 28th, 2011, 01:18 PM
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@cheapalice: Mom and I went to the WLYS a few years back, and we had a blast. Yes, we did look at a lot of junk, but we found some good buys too. One necklace I snagged for a quarter was appraised for $250-300 at Antiques Roadshow when they filmed in Biloxi.

I hope you've already reserved a hotel, cabin or something, because the longer you wait, the further away from the route you'll have to stay. Mom and I made reservations for a different hotel each night of our trip, and had to change a couple at the last minute because the hotels turned out to be in bad neighborhoods. We were able to find something else, but ended up paying more than we'd have liked. This year, we've reserved lodging near the southern end of the route and plan to stay there the entire time.

Last time, we drove north each day, stopping along the way, until we made it to Jamestown. It was fun, but tiring. This year, the plan is to drive all the way to Jamestown without stopping, then work our way back south until we're too pooped to shop, make a note of where we end the day's yard saling, and then drive to that point the next day and continue south again.

It's been about 4 years, so I can't make any suggestions for restaurants and sightseeing, since I don't know what might have closed in the interim, but definitely check out the mom 'n pop places; they're always fun and interesting.

As for practical stuff: plenty of bottled water, something to shade your eyes, sunscreen, an extra pair of shoes, camera, cell phone, packing materials (bags, boxes, bubble wrap, etc.) and snacks are all musts. When we went, one of the vendors sold these skinny neck wraps filled with some kind of beads. You soak the wrap in cool water, blot it with a towel and tie the wrap around your neck. It keeps you cool for hours, and believe me, in August in Tennessee, you want to be as cool as possible. I'm from the deep South and should be used to such things, but the heat and humidity in those valleys near about killed me.

I hope you and your friends make the sale. Who knows? Maybe we'll cross paths.
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Old Jun 28th, 2011, 01:33 PM
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This old post again. Every year it keeps coming back. Welcome to the 4th annual edition.
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Old Jul 5th, 2011, 08:12 AM
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Parrothead, I was thinking the same thing. I saw this post was back from 2008. Im sure alot has changed in the past 2 years or so.
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Old Jul 15th, 2011, 05:34 AM
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First off, it's Cincinnati. This very old post should be removed. I am originally from Van Wert Ohio. US 127 runs through it and intersects with the Lincoln HWY (US30) I can't imagine why you would FLY to Cincinnati and go to a yard sale. But those folks in CA are different aren't they? Yard sales are usually borne of a need to rid your home of what you don't want. So you thought Nordstrom's was going to have a tent sale? I'm going home to VW this year the long way. From Cincinnati to Van Wert up 127. Can't wait. Better get the car cleaned out. Have fun junkers of the universe. Skeeter
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Old Jul 26th, 2011, 02:05 PM
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It's almost here! We'll be set up once again at Eagle Lake Convention Center in Lawrenceburg, KY. Look for our Vintage Adventure sign. We sell vintage jewelry and newer artisan jewelry, vintage women's/men's accessories (scarves, purses, neckties, cufflinks), retro kitchen and a whole lot more. Eagle Lake opens its doors July 30, a full five days before the official sale. IT IS AIR CONDITIONED! Food and restrooms, too. Vendors inside and outside. Scads of neat stuff. We have a great time and have met lots of wonderful people from all over the USA. Eagle Lake Convention Center is just north of Lawrenceburg, KY (Anderson County). Google Map or GPS it at 1006 Eagle Lake Rd, Lawrenceburg, KY‎. Hope to see you there!
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