Bobbi_Smith

I probably would not fly to this sale if I lived in California,but since I live in Kentucky and can get on the trail in about one hour I cannot bear the thought of missing it. I buy to resale and find more bargains than I can pay for. It is a fact that there is lots of junk such as clothing, toys, and baby things. But I can just drive on by these. Some of my most memorable finds: 100 feet of antique cast iron fence, old concrete yard items. Absolutely stunning and huge old theatre light fixture, antique mantels, lots of architectural antiques, sterling silver pieces, costume jewelry and clothing, samplers, fabulous handmade quilts, tatting and needlework, oak curved glass china cabinets, primitive farmhouse tables, cast iron dinner bell, doctor buggy, primitive dry sink. Some just don't know how to dig!!!!!

ChardonnayLuvr

I'm driving from Ann Arbor and attending for the first time this year; starting in Michigan (first year Michigan is participating!). Does anyone have hints for Ohio??? Best small towns? I re-sell on eBay.... but I also like vintage, retro stuff for myself!

Vickieanne

All you downers get a grip. It is a yard sale after all not a store sale. One persons junk could be another mans treasurer. So keep that in mind. You may not like what you see but others out there might find the unique thing they have been looking for.

Vickieanne

Go with your instint. Someone sees junk others see wonderful things. It is a yard sale and not the Mall.

Frankie_Lafoto

Thanks for all the great information. I would still like to experience it, but it does sound somewhat gruelling. Much easier if you live nearby.

Nichele_Hoskins

My mother, sister and I have done the yard sale for the last five years, give or take a year. I live in Birmingham, about 45 minutes south of the southern end of the yard sale route, and my mom and sis live in Savannah, about 7 hours away from Birmingham.

Yes, there is plenty of junk. There is plenty of cheap, new, sub Family Dollar caliber stuff I want no part of. But we've scored some good things, including vintage telephones, a foldaway bike, old-style pressure cookers (revamped with new seals and pressure regulators), fitness equipment, wood blinds, framed posters, etc.

It's also a fun culinary journey. Fried hand pies, cream sno-cones and fried Oreos weren't exactly good for us, but they were fun to try. However, the peaches along the way are delicious (I'm a Georgia native who finds Alabama peaches to be superior). And little kids often sell freshly picked blueberries to shoppers.

Each of us used to scour yard sales and flea markets years ago, but now we reserve the hunt for the summer. We rarely drive past Mentone, Alabama, which is a lovely little town to stop off for a meal at the Wildflower Lodge.

Not only is the yard sale time for my sister, mom and I to hang out, explore and have fun, we always encounter friendly folks -- Alabamians and outlanders -- who chat and barter. And for those wondering about how safe it is to ride up and down Lookout Parkway, don't fret. Alabama has a ways to go, but as three African-American women, we've felt nothing but welcomed along the route. Without sounding too hokey, chatting up sellers and other scavengers is almost as much fun as the hunt.

Yes, it is much easier if you live nearby. And early August is invariably hot, but we Savannah natives are used to the heat and humidity. We enjoy the yard sale.

Keith

This thread never dies

gatlinburglover

I cant get over this thread being over 4 years old and still getting comments.Im sure alot has changed since the orignal posting. Happy hunting

GinLeathers

I've gone to the yard sale about 2 or 3 times, with friends, and we've always had a great time and gotten great stuff! I do recommend and tell myself that next time I'll take a break in the middle of the day due to the heat! but would I do it again? Youbetcha!! sign me up!

happytrailstoyou

It starts again in six months! On August 4, 2012: http://www.127sale.com/

Count me out.

HTTY

Dukey1

Hopefully other rubbernecking cars will bow out as well

Ozarksbill

As for a strung out yardsale, my remembrance is visiting the covered bridge country in Brown Co. Indiana only to find crowds at yard sales along the roadside, often interfering with the beauty of the countryside.
Bill in Boston

erinanederbo

Hey!

This form group has been so helpful. I'm currently planning my route from Chicago and will be attending for the first time this summer. I can't wait and am looking forward to the adventure.

I'll be driving from Chicago to Owenton, KY and driving on route 127 to Jamestown, TN.

I plan on arriving to Owenton,KY from Chicago by 12:30PM, doing some sales, and staying Thursday night in nearby Frankfort, KY. Friday morning I plan to drive from Frankfort, KY to Jamestown, TN and staying Friday and Saturday night in Jamestown going a bit further to some sales on Saturday and heading back to Chicago on Sunday.

Basically, I was just wondering if anyone knew of any hotel recommendations in Frankfort, KY or Jamestown, TN?

I found Big South Fork Lodge in Jamestown. It's a ranch and camping site that has some beautiful scenery. Has anyone stayed there? Also, for those who've done the sales before, any suggestions? Does my game plan sound reasonable? Should I split up the drive from Frankfort to Jamestown by staying at an additional hotel?

I attended garage, yard, and estate sales regularly and am going on this with no expectations of treasures and just for a good time, hopefully to get some new things here and there. My concerns mainly are in the planning, not the sale itself.

Thanks!

AlwaysHavingFun

This yard sales does have junk, but it also has good stuff. You just have to being willing to make the trip and go through stuff.
Try Crossville, TN at the Red Caboose on 127 North just about 1 1/2 miles from the interstate on the left hand side. There is parking in the back, Food and Drinks.

Edie_Gunter

We live in Crossville TN which is considered the mid way point of the World's Longest Yard Sale. We normally set up. I have an 80 year old mother that has set up every year of the sale. She has so much fun talking to the "yardsalers" and my 63 year old sister helps her. She has a blast talking to everyone. Sometimes it is hard for people to find a bargain, but then you have the ones telling us about their great find and how they have been hunting it for years. Then you have the ones telling you funny stories about what has happened to them along the way.

I would say to "Do It" if you want to fun and different four days. A tip I would share is to get off State Route 127 and look for yardsale off the beaten path. That is where you can find a lot of bargains. If you are staying the nights in Hotels, find them off the beaten path to. Cookeville is just about 30 miles from Crossville and their hotel prices stay the same. and you can get more choices of rooms.

Eric_Paul

Erinanederbo - we are planning for our 4th sale. We rent a van remove all the back seats or fold them into floor drive from Milw. Wi. To Dayton Oh. Overnite with friends on Thurs. then start out early Fri am. We never know how far we will get each day so here is the big trick to success. GARMIN ! Around 2 - 3 pm we can usually tell how far we can get in the next few hours and it seems that vendors start to close up around that time (why - we don't know) so we punch in lodging and let it work for you. We call ahead for reservations only when we know where we will be on that afternoon / evening , you might be in the middle of nowhere or on a hotspot! We use an IPad to check hotel ratings and comments about each nights lodging. Trick is call early beat the crowd, by doing this you won't have to backtrack or leapfrog ahead 100 -150miles. Last year we hit rain so we made the best of it by hitting pawn shops also (inside,dry) and Unclaimed Baggage in Scottsboro. Good luck!

Sarah_Guin

We have attended the yard sale twice. We throughly enjoyed it! I bought a home made quilt which I have enjoyed as well as collector glass pieces. I found a lot of antiques. I plan to attend again! If you enjoy antiques and southern food and hospitality you will love it! We live in Washington State so it was a treat for us!

lawheeler50

For erinanederbo,
My friends and I have been attending the World's Longest Yard Sale for 4 years now and we always stay at the Capital Plaza Hotel in downtown Frankfort, Ky. We found this hotel our first year on the sale when we failed to make a hotel reservation and they had rooms available for only $69. We've been going back ever since! They have a restaurant in the hotel and a pool open late. We can't wait to do it all over again this year!

surfingmomma

I haven't been to this yard sale, but we are going this year. I am excited to see as much as I can--it always feels like a treasure hunt to me!

I live in the south, so--Fodorites--should I start there and work my way north?
Comments?

lea_1045

I've lived 1/2 mile off 127 near Lawrenceburg, KY for 12 yrs. I've had 3 sales myself and always venture out for nearby sales every yr. One of my neighbors right on 127, shops for things all yr and has a huge sale every yr. I will say, if you love yard sales, you will love this one. There is lots of junk (flea market, $store things), but there are lots of great antiques to be found as well. All I can say is, it's worth it, if you like to yard sale. If not, don't get out in the traffic. And be careful if you do! Too many people stopping quickly and changing lanes on 127 ( 55mph ) causes lots of accidents.