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19th
Annual "World's Longest Yardsale",
Aug. 3-6
Photos,
courtesy www.tourdekalb.com
 Hundreds
of thousands of folks are irresistibly
attracted to long-distance event
each year, which spans 450 miles
and four states. Started in 1987,
the Yardsale begins in Covington,
Ky., and travels along Hwy. 127
to Chattanooga, Tenn., where it
switches to the Lookout Mountain
Parkway. It then continues to ends
in Gadsden, Ala. The sale is very
popular, and visitors from several
foreign countries have attended.
You'll
find homeowners selling stuff they've
accumulated throughout the years,
as well as professional dealers
and vendors. Its almost impossible
for shoppers to cover the entire
route in four days, so be prepared
to pick up where you leave off next
year. You're going to discover some
neat places, interesting people,
and quaint stops that you'll probably
want to visit again and again. So
pack your camera, sunglasses, a
good pair of walking shoes, and
plenty of cash.
The
original intent of the sale was
to prove that back roads have something
to offer and that the interstate
system was not the only mode for
travel. There are over three hundred
attractions along the route to provide
enjoyment for the family. Whether
it be majestic hills, beautiful
scenery, river boats, railroads,
toe tapping music, arts, crafts,
horses, fishing, hiking, bits of
Civil War or Indian History, there
are many opportunities to enjoy
the land along the 127 Sale Route.
 The
Lookout Mountain Parkway leaves
Chattanooga as Highway 58 and becomes
several different highway numbers
before reaching Gadsden. It is no
longer US 127, but is the same great
sale. This routing crosses the northwest
corner of Georgia, going into Cloudland.
This added another 100 miles to
the already existing 350 miles,
thus making it 450 miles and "The
World's Longest Yard Sale".
Thousands
of people participate in the sale
each year as vendors. A front lawn
may be turned into a showcase as
items are displayed. Off road parking
is essential, and many of the homes
have this space. Visitors should
honor requests of "No Parking"
or "No Trespassing" posted
by families not participating in
the sale because cars can leave
deep tire ruts on a soft lawn.
As
the sale developed, a vacant field
at a good location has proven to
be an excellent place to rent as
vendor space. This yields a cluster
of sellers at one spot and reduces
the stop and park routine of the
buyers. Such areas can be spotted
from a distance because of the activity.
Community parks are ideal for a
grouping of vendors, as good parking,
and restrooms are available.
People
come from near and far to view this
spectacular event. Folks come from
all across the country by car, truck,
motor home or plane. Some fly in,
rent a car, travel the route and
ship the newfound treasures back
home. Some pull a trailer behind
a truck, park the trailer somewhere,
and run around in the truck seeking
items. Pulling a trailer will often
limit the places you can visit.
A large vehicle may prove to be
a problem on this two-lane highway.
Traffic
congestion is part of the annual
phenomenon to be endured, but the
chance of finding a treasure lures
them on. Many visitors plan their
vacations around the sale event,
with some traveling the entire 450
miles. Others may opt to spend their
time in a selected area, and venture
off the beaten path to discover
the history and charm of the land.
 Whatever
the mode of travel you may choose,
expect plenty of traffic. The pace
may slow to that of snarled rush
hour traffic. It may be bumper to
bumper with everyone stretching
their necks to see what is on a
seller's table or in the front lawn.
Do expect sudden stops to occur
without warning, and drive carefully
and defensively. Enjoy the spot
wherever you are, because down the
road a few miles may be a space
where no vendors are set up, and
the traffic will move along as usual.
Some
book motel rooms a year in advance.
A few weeks prior to the sale date,
most of the motel rooms are taken.
Bed and Breakfast-type lodgings
do a brisk business during this
sale with most any type of overnight
lodging being filled each night.
For
more information, visit www.127sale.com
. Brochures can be obtained
by calling 1-800-327-3945. For a
map of the Yardsale, visit http://www.tourdekalb.com/yardsale.htm.
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