Southern Byways

It’s Happening in the South: U.S. 127 Corridor Sale/"World’s Largest Yard Sale"

by Apryl on July 21st, 2008

Every year in August, thousands make a pilgrimage to the mid-South in search of undiscovered treasures. They pilfer through various items on the tables, in the booths and on the blankets of over 5,000 vendors, who are set-up in open fields or in their front yard.  The bargain hunters are on a mission for pottery, glassware, furniture, farm tools or garden accessories. The more adventurous ones are eyeing the bulldozer, rail car, horse-drawn hearse or the large stuffed moose, wondering how can they get it home.

Welcome to what is considered to be the mother of all yard-sales  - the U.S. 127 Corridor Sale (aka the “World’s Largest Yard Sale”), where it’s a known fact that if you can’t find what you are looking for here, you probably don’t need it. In its 21st year, the sale is scheduled for August 7-10. 

The four day sale was the brain child of then- Fentress County, Tenn., executive Mike Walker. In 1987, his vision was two-fold: lure people away the interstates travel along the scenic routes of the backroads as well as provide residents with an opportunity to sell crafts and antiques. Through the years, the event has attracted people from all across the country and from around the world. They come by car, truck, motor home or plane (and have their items shipped back) to take a part of this yard sale extravaganza. 

Today, the sale has an additional a couple 180 miles. From Defiance, Ohio to Chattanooga, Tenn., and a handful of places in between, you find everything, including a couple of kitchen sinks, for sell. The route in the south includes Lookout Mountain Parkway, dipping into the corner of northwest Georgia and continuing through DeKalb County, Ala., and Gadsden, Ala.

Aside from the sale items, the route highlights numerous sights along the way. It was said when the officials first put together a list of attractions accessible from the sale route, there was well over three hundred places.

Here is a sampling of some worth visiting in between bargain hunting and deal making:

In Kentucky, be sure to visit MainStrasse Village, a restored 19th century German neighborhood. This historic village is  filled with shops, restaurants and entertainment

The Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill happens to be the largest restored 19th century Shake Village in America. 

Penn’s Store  in Danville is the country store in America, open for business, and still operated by the same family since the late 1800’s.

While in Tennessee, there’s Sgt. Alvin York Historic Park located in Pall Mall. The site is the home and museum dedicated to one of World War One’s most decorated hero.

Don’t miss out on all that Chattanooga has to offer, either! Whether it’s the Tennessee Aquarium and their new eco-cruise or exploring Bluff View Arts District, you are sure to find a lot to do.

In Alabama, DeSoto State Park in Ft. Payne, is great for camping, hiking and kayaking.   There are also mountain chalets and motel accommodations available. Also in Ft. Payne, the Little River Canyon National Preserve offers breathtaking views of the 700-foot gorge and waterfalls along the 23-mile drive along the rim.

Photo credits: (top left) Used Book Sale, flickr,creative commons by revolutionarygirl; (upper right) Yard Sale Find 1, flickr, creative commons by pigstubs; (mid-right) Diversity, flickr, creative commons by JimmyMac210; (lower left) Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, flickr, creative commons by janet.powell; (bottom right) DeSoto Fall in DeSoto State Park, flickr, creative commons by Indhslf72

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POSTED IN: Gigantic Yard Sales, It's Happening in the South, Southern Byways, Things to See in Alabama, Things to See in Georgia, Things to See in Kentucky, Things to See in Tennessee, Things to See in the South, Weekend Trip, Yard Sale, road trip