KARTHAUS – Whether you’re looking for something unique or just a great bargain, the Quehanna Industrial Development Corp.’s 18th Annual 100-mile Yard Sale is the place to find it.
Kicking off Friday and Saturday, 100-mile Yard has gone from a good idea to bring tourists to the area and to help businesses, organizations and local families raise money, to an event being attended by thousands from as far away as Canada.
Since the first yard sale was held in 1998, QIDC President Ray Savel said this year’s event is “bigger and better than ever.”
“We have more vendors than we’ve ever had before,” Savel said. “We’ve got more fire departments getting involved, the Clearfield Swimming Pool is having a booth this year. It’s amazing how it’s grown and how many people are coming from all over and especially how many different groups are getting involved.”
Savel said this year, the vendors are asked to decorate their booths in red, white and blue to honor American military veterans of the past and present.
“We want to show our respect for those who fought for our freedom, so we want the vendors and even the patrons to wear red, white and blue,” Savel said. He said the QIDC will be selling 100-mile Yard Sale T-shirts and ham and bean soup at their booth at Big M’s Garage on the Karthaus side of the intersection.
True to its name, the 100-mile Yard Sale runs along Route 879 in Shawville and shoppers will find vendors set up throughout the towns of LeContes Mills, Frenchville, Keewaydin, Karthaus, Pine Glen, Sinnemahoning, Drift Wood, Benezette and Medix Run.
Savel said the event is not for the faint of heart. Yard Sale enthusiasts are asked to use caution while traveling to the many vendors along the yard sale route, as traffic can be heavy at times. Motorists are asked to watch out for pedestrians crossing roads and to plan ahead to accommodate any traffic delays when traveling through the yard sale areas. Shoppers are also urged to prepare for the expected weather, with cold drinks or rain gear, depending on the forecast.
Savel said those thinking about participating in the event for next year are asked to get their information to the QIDC as early as possible.
“We want everyone to have their registration in by the end of May,” Savel said. “That way, we can start getting things ready earlier. We can get the directory printed earlier and things will go a lot smoother for all of us.
“The people organizing the event have a lot of work to do, and some people don’t realize just how much work there is. We have people calling us right up to the day of the sale. It’s important for organizations to get the book and it’s important for us to get the book printed as soon as possible so we can get it out to the people who are coming. They need to know who and what is there.”
Savel said the directory books are sent by mail or can be taken off the QIDC’s Web site at www.visitquehannaarea.com.
For more information, call 814-263-4418 or e-mail qidc@penns-woods.net.
