August 7-15: The 18th Annual ‘World’s Longest Yardsale’
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. Officials put together a listing of attractions along the route in Kentucky and Tennessee. There are over three hundred attractions along the route that can 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 and much more are all along the 127 Sale Route.
The Lookout Mountain Parkway Association, a few years after the sale started, asked to be included in the 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 sale. This routing crosses the Northwest corner of Georgia. Follow the parkway signs and logo. This added another 100 miles to the already existing 350 miles, thus making it 450 miles — “The World’s Longest Yard Sale”.
The Fentress County Chamber of Commerce in Jamestown, Tennessee has served as headquarters for the Corridor Sale since 1995. We are centrally located along the route. Fentress County can also claim the origin of the sale. Our county executive, at that time, dreamed up and put into being the first sale and planned for it to be an annual event.
Thousands of people participate in the sale each year as vendors. The front lawn may be turned into a showcase as items are displayed. Off road parking is essential, but 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–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 out 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, such at the South Fentress Park, are proving to be ideal for a grouping of vendors, as good parking and restrooms are available.
People come from far and near to view this spectacular event. They 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 to themselve. 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, while others spend their time in a given area.
Whatever the mode of travel you may choose, please do 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 neck to see what is over there. Expect sudden stops that occur without any 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. You are here to enjoy the sale and most of the other vehicles have the same thing as their goal.
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 lodging do a brisk business during this sale, with most any type of overnight lodging being filled each night. Southern hospitality has lead to couples being taken into private homes because nothing else was available. 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 are even forced to sleep in their car. These are considered small inconveniences because of the happy anticipation of a big shopping spree.
A few dislike the snarled traffic associated with the sale, but all must admit, the sale is good for the economy along the corridor route. Locals sell their crafts, accommodations are filled, restaurants are crowded, and those renting vendor spaces also add to the local economy. Those who are determined to beak away for a few hours may visit local attractions. The sale does bring added moneys to the area in many different way.
Those wishing more information regarding the annual 127 Corridor Sale are encouraged to check our web site at www.127sale.com. The 1-800-327-3945 phone line much of the time rings into an answering machine that gives limited information regarding the sale and offers a chance to leave a name and address for a brochure.
Let us again welcome our guests to the area, because they have only come to stay for a “spell”. We hope they enjoy their visit and we look forward to seeing them again next year.
For More Information Contact:
Fentress County Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 1294, Jamestown, TN 38556
Tel: 800-327-3945
FAX: 931-879-6767
Send mail to [email protected] with questions or comments about this web site.