By Sarrah Peters/News Editor
Last weekend, shoppers flooded Lookout Mountain Parkway for the 27th annual World’s Longest Yard Sale, despite the rain.
The sale was first started in 1987 to demonstrate the usefulness and beauty of back roads and attract visitors to less known areas.
The plan worked, attracting thousands of people from all over.
The yard sale originated in Fentress County, Tenn. Now, it includes 690 miles of bargain hunting, and passes through six states.
The sale follows US 127 from just north of Addison, Mich., to Chattanooga, Tenn. From there, the sale moves to Lookout Mountain Parkway and continues to Gadsden.
Shoppers could find just about anything, from kayaks to metalwork animal yard decorations.
Venders, who rent a spot along the route, also sell specialty items, like body jewelry or candles.
Venders prepared for rain or shine, both of which they received during the four-day sale. They used tents and brought fans with generators.
“People are looking for all kinds of stuff, anything special or different. I’ve even had people try to buy my little piercing man,” said Teresa Garmony, gesturing to a Tiki man face she had drilled holes into to display her jewelry that was actually purchased at a yard sale.
“But people are usually looking for stuff that you have around the house,” continued Garmony, a vender from Rainbow City.
According to Garmony, there is some profit in the weekend, though it is unlikely that a seller makes a lot of money.
“I pushed $4000 worth of merchandise up there. I took home $58. I have never sold so much stuff for a nickel, dime, or quarter in my life,” said City Councilman Ben Reed.
The appeal of the sale to sellers is more about the unique experience than the profits.
“My favorite part of the wholesale is meeting people. I love to meet people and talk to people,” said Garmany.
“I met people from California and Wisconsin,” said City Councilman Ben Reed.
Since school started last week, there was some concern about the traffic of the yard sale with the busses transporting students.
“I think last week we discussed the yard sale, starting school and all the projects in Noccalula Falls going on…Everything went extremely well,” said Reed.