CLARK STACIE CLARK STACIE - HER LIFE Magazine

herlife | travelMulti-State Yard SalesAttracting Bargain-HuntingTr aveler s Across the Countr yby linda marannoIf you’re looking for a unique way to spend a long weekend getaway and you love to shop,multi-state yard sales could be the ideal road trip for you. These events are staged along anumber of historic highways in various parts of the country offering miles and miles of bargainsas individual homeowners, vendors and businesses set up “yard sales” along the route allon the same days. Each highway sale event is organized differently, but generally anyone whoowns property or rents space along these routes can set up a table to sell their goods.The type of sales along each route range anywhere from random homeowner yard sales ontheir front lawn to more organized flea market events featuring numerous vendors in a singlelocation, such as a vacant lot. You’ll find anything from valuable antiques to vintage furniture,art, jewelry, crafts, fresh baked goods and produce, as well as typical items you’d find at any yardsale. Each town along these routes plans festivals, antique sales, flea markets and other activitiesin conjunction with the yard sales to attract more travelers.Multi-state yard sales were initially organized primarily to promote and increase tourismtrade for the small towns and communitieslocated along these historic routes. Incomegenerated from gas, food and lodging is awelcome boost to these local economies.The yard sales are usually three- or fourdayevents scheduled during the spring orsummer on an annual basis. The following is aquick overview of the six most popular events.Highway 127 Corridor SaleThe 127 Corridor Sale is the originalmulti-state yard sale created in 1987 toencourage travelers to venture off the beatenpath to discover the history and charm ofTennessee and Kentucky towns along the 127route. This event now stretches 675 milesfrom Gadsen, Alabama, to Hudson, Michigan,running through six states—Alabama,Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio andMichigan. The four days of bargain hunting isan annual event and always starts on the firstThursday in August and runs through the followingSunday. This year’s sale is scheduledfor August 2-5.U.S. 11 Antique Alley & Yard SaleThis 502-mile roadside sale takes placealong the route of U.S. Highway 11 fromMeridian, Mississippi, through Birmingham,Alabama, winding through towns in Dade46 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM