Nearly 700 Miles: World’s Longest Yard Sale Kicks Off
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Handout/Fentress County Chamber of Commerce(NEW YORK) — Are you ready for some bargain knick knacks? How about so many that you’ll not in a lifetime get to see them all?
What’s being billed as “The World’s Longest Yard Sale” kicked off on Thursday, giving shoppers access to 690 miles of deals up and down US Highway 127.
The four-day event was started by an executive in Tennessee, who wanted to get more people off the major highway that spans more than 750 miles, and traveling the back roads of the rural area.
But, it’s grown into something entirely different. The two-lane highway has become a playground for bargain hunters looking for a deal.
The yard sale, which was originally 350 miles, has nearly doubled in size since its conception 25 years ago and spans six states. Shoppers can check out the thousands of vendors in Tennessee, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia and Alabama.
The hunt for treasures and good deals has been a pleasant surprise for the six states by helping to boost the local economy.
“We see a clear surge in hotel and motel tax revenue,” Leann Smith, the tourism director at the Fentress County Chamber of Commerce, which services the 127 Sale, told ABC News. “More people are eating at restaurants and stopping and buying gas and other necessities needed during travel,” she continued, “it’s clearly a big difference for our small town.”
In the weeks leading up to the event, hotels, motels and the local bed and breakfasts tend to fill up fast. Finding lodging at the last minute may be difficult.
“Southern hospitality has led to couples being taken into private homes because nothing else was available,” according to a statement. “Some visitors to the sale try to find lodging when and where needed. Some find cancellations, some go up to fifty miles, to the right or left of the sale route, to spend the night. Some even sleep in their car,” the statement continued.
If you’re looking for additional information about the world’s longest yard sale, you can check here. The Website allows users to map a route, and discover vendor information.
The sale is expected to end on Aug. 5.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio