The World's Longest Yard Sale Corridor 127
630 Miles of Treasures From Ohio to Alabama August 7 - 10, 2008
Jul 22, 2008
The World's Longest Yard sale is celebrating its 21st anniversary of bargains on the U.S. 127 Corridor. The four day sales runs from August 7 -10, 2008. The 630 mile trail now starts in Defiance, Ohio and concludes in Gadsden, Alabama. The route of The World's Longest Yard Sale is an American road trip that brings treasure seekers from far and wide.
Bargain and antique shoppers find treasures and nostalgic items at yard sales along the route. There is no limit to what treasures can be found. Booths and tables are filled with a diverse range of merchandise, including musical instruments, furniture, glassware, toys, housewares, tools, jewelry and much more.
The World's Longest Garage Sale originated as a plan to bring ravelers from the busy Interstate to the less traveled highways of Tennessee and Kentucky. Homeowners and businesses emptied their attics and garages and sold treasures and trash. Since beginning, the event has grown every year. Homeowners still hold authentic yard sales. Dealers also set up shop along the route, sometimes selling side by side with the homeowners.
Towns Along the Route 127 Corridor
The Route 127 Corridor passes through a number of small towns. Some of the larger towns and attractions on the route include Covington, Kentucky; Frankfort, Kentucky (near Lexintgon); Jamestown, Tennessee; Crossville, Tennessee; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Lookout Mountain Parkway in Georgia and Gadsen, Alabama.
Traffic
Yard sales tend to congregate in the small towns along the route. In the sections where there are many yard sales, the traffic slows to a crawl. Cars constantly pull in and out of traffic, as drivers see tempting tables and tents. The best advice in traffic snarls is to be patient and drive defensively.
HGTV Features The World's Longest Yard Sale
HGTV is a big fan of The World's Longest Yard Sale and features portions of the sale on their cable network program. HGTV features the found treasures at the yard sale and interviews vendors and shoppers, which is always fun to watch. The HGTV website offers additional information about the sale.
Tips for a Successful Journey
The World's Longest Yard Sale is a unique event. Much of the route is off the beaten path, so many of the conveniences that people are used to seeing in more populated areas may not be readily available. Following are suggestions for a pleasant journey.
- Plan a Route. It is tempting to attempt the entire trail, but it is difficult to traverse the entire 630 miles in four days and do justice to the sales at the same time. The official website of the World's Longest Yard sale suggests picking a starting point along the trail and heading either north or south
- Make Advance Room Reservations. Hotel and motel rooms often book far in advance, so room reservations along the route may be difficult to find. Some people have success in getting a room by getting slightly off the route to a nearby town. It is a very good idea to make lodging arrangements in advance to make sure that time is not lost in looking for a room during the sale. It is a good idea to find a lodging with a restaurant nearby. Relax over a leisurely dinner near the hotel room
- Start Shopping Early. Yard sale experts know the time to shop is early. Vendors in booths along the way have said that the best bargains are often gone within the first hour or two on the first morning. Sometimes, that same merchandise shows up on a dealer's table, marked up for profit.
- Bring Cash. Most vendors do not take checks and they may not take credit cards. Bring cash to purchase treasures along the way. Small bills are best. Vendors may run out of small bills. It is easier to negotiate with vendors when using exact change.
- Fill Up the Tank, The Stomach and Use the Facilities. Restaurants and gas stations may not alway be handy when needed. Therefore, eat and fill the gas tank whenever possible. Many gas stations along the route close their restrooms, so do not count on using a gas station rest room. Restaurants are the best place to find facilities. Use rest room facilities when they are available to prevent having to look for facilities when it is an emergency.
- Bring Snacks and Beverages. Fill coolers with snacks of choice, beverages and water. Great snacks include protein bars, crackers with peanut butter, cheese and fresh fruit. It is not always easy to find these items along the way.
- Bring Supplies. Prepare for what may be needed in advance. Suggested supplies include hand wipes, hand sanitizer, sunscreen sun glasses, hat, flashlight, first aid kit, zip lock bags to carry small items and parts, boxes and newspaper to pack purchases in, maps, cell phone, camera and a sense of adventure.
The World's Longest Yard Sale is great fun and adventure. The people along the way are enjoyable. Treasures along the way are fascinating. The scenery is beautiful. Be sure to take time to enjoy the beautiful American landscape.
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