World's Longest Yardsale Celebrates Its Silver Jubilee

The World's Longest Yardsale entered its 25th season on Thursday with bargain hunters able to get second-hand goods and entertainment for 690 miles spread across six states along the US Highway 127. Organized by the Fentress County Chamber of Commerce in northern Tennessee, it's the longest the four-day attic-clearing event has ever stretched, running from Gadsden, Alabama to the outskirts of Addison, Michigan.

The inaugural yard sale in 1987 ran for 350 miles (560 kilometers).

"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," the chamber said in a statement.

"Thousands of people participate in the sale each year as vendors," it said, while many more offer visitors around 300 attractions such as concerts and excursions by boat, train or horseback.

"A front lawn may be turned into a showcase as items are displayed," it explained, warning however that visitors can expect the occasional traffic jam given how popular the event has become.

Leann Smith, tourism director for the Fentress County Chamber of Commerce, told ABC News that the yard sale is a boon for her county, where the biggest community, Jamestown, only has 2,000 people.

Advertisement

"More people are eating at restaurants and stopping and buying gas and other necessities needed during travel," she said. "It's clearly a big difference for our small town."

Source-AFP