World’s Longest Yard Sale is back

For the 24th year, the “World’s Longest Yard Sale” is already officially underway, reaching all or portions of some five states. And, as usual, it sometimes seems Clinton County is smack in the middle of the sale, with both visitors and locals looking for bargains of all kinds.

The U.S. 127 Corridor Sale’s official dates for this first weekend of August was Thursday through Sunday, August 4-7. However, many vendors were set up and selling their wares up to a couple of days ahead of that official start date.

Clinton County has seen it’s share of tourists this year as both Lake Cumberland and Dale Hollow Lakes have been swamped with out-of-towners flocking to enjoy two of the county’s greatest treasures.

But this weekend, the county will see a different group of tourist come through town as the 24th Annual 127 Corridor Sale runs through Sunday.

Although sale locations can be seen all along U.S. 127 from north to south in Clinton County, a primary area for out-of-town (state) vendors and bargain hunters is about a mile north of Albany at Mountain View Park. There, bargain hunters can find both merchandise and good food throughout the weekend.

Although the economy is lagging and gas prices increasing from just a year ago, the sale is still expected to attract about its normal amount of travelers, most of which will be looking for bargain buys along the 127 route.

In recent years in Clinton County, the number of vendors and local businesses and organizations that participate in the annual event haveincreased for one reason or another.

This year, for example, some organizations are taking the 127 Sale as an opportunity to raise funds for various causes. A couple of those include the senior Class of 2012 that has rented vendor spots in the high school parking lot to raise funds for its senior trip next year. Another example, Little Hills Animal Rescue organization is taking part in the sale Friday and Saturday to help raise funds for its organization.

As far as the Clinton County area goes during the long weekend sale, there are many repeat vendors and almost as many repeat visitors, due in part to the region’s hospitality that is shown to the traveling public.

One such example is the now annual sale that runs three days each year, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Lands Chapel United Methodist Church. The church has been using the sale as a fundraiser for the past several years.

Many visitors to the church, located in northern Clinton County near the Aaron community, keep coming back each year–but not necessarily for the yard sale bargains. Mainly, the friendly atmosphere and homemade cooking, both breakfast and lunch, keep bargain seekers coming back on an annual basis.

The U.S. 127 Sale traffic is beneficial to the city and county as a whole with the extra money spent in the area on food, gas, lodging and other products not associated with yard sale items alone.

As far as the most used area–Mountain View Park, Park Director Bobby Reneau said he expects even a few more vendors to be on hand this year than last year. He noted that some vendors who had missed a year or two of setting up were coming back this year and also added there were several new, first-time vendors selling at the park this year.

Vendors began setting up at the park on Tuesday and actually selling products the day after, getting an early start on the weekend long event.

The sale is also of great benefit to the park itself, since it is the only fundraiser the park board conducts annually, raising a few thousand dollars each year by renting spaces and selling food. Money raised helps with the high costs of operating the park throughout the year, including helping with utility bills and other expenses.

Even though vendors will be set up through Sunday, normal park activities will continue for local, everyday users. In fact, this year there will be church league softball games played at night time the weekend of the 127 Sale.

Parking is always a concern, especially around the park location during the sale days and traffic flow is always slowed to a minimum. Because of the heavy traffic, sometimes sudden stops and beside-of-the-road parking in many places, travelers more familiar with the area are always urged to use added caution along the 127 corridor route and be respectful to the visitors who are unfamiliar with the local roads.

Just like last year’s sale, this year, the sale will extend some 19 miles and hit the southern Michigan area. The expansion to Hudson, Michigan raises the total miles to 675 and adds another state into the mix. The route extends into five states, including Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama.

The US 127 Corridor Sale started in 1987 and now runs from Hudson, Michigan south to Chattanooga, TN, then switches to the Lookout Mountain Parkway, continuing to Gadsden, AL.

In Albany, the anticipation is usually more than the vendors can stand, so many items will be on sale Wednesday afternoon, after set up is complete.

The original intent of the sale was to prove the back roads have something to offer, and that the interstate system was not the only mode for travel.

County officials put together a list of attractions along the route in Kentucky and Tennessee. There are over three hundred attractions along the route to provide enjoyment for the entire family.

The Fentress County Chamber of Commerce in Jamestown, Tennessee has served as headquarters for the 127 Corridor Sale since 1995 and also claims to be the origin of the sale.

Mike Walker, the county executive in 1987, came up with the idea of the sale, worked hard to make it happen, and planned for it to be an annual event.

There is also a map of the 127 Corridor Sale printed elsewhere in this week’s edition of the Clinton County News.