JAMESTOWN – From Addison, Mich., to Gadsden, Ala., and everywhere in between, the 127 Corridor Sale – otherwise known as the World’s Longest Yard Sale – kicks off this week. But many vendors are already setting up well ahead of Thursday’s official kickoff.
The sale, scheduled to run through Sunday, traverses several Upper Cumberland cities and counties as part of the 690-mile route. Jamestown serves as its headquarters.
The four-day event attracts thousands of visitors from all over the country and provides an economic boon for restaurants, gas stations, hotels and bed and breakfasts along the mostly rural route. The sale first started in 1987 as an effort to pull travelers off the interstates and onto the backcountry roads of Kentucky and Tennessee instead.
“It has definitely helped our business, because August would normally be slow since kids are going back to school and such,” said Inez Troxel, owner of Laurel Fork Rustic Retreat in Jamestown, which is sponsoring this year’s event along with Union Bank, Subway, Hall Family Pharmacy, Southern Star Realty, Maple Hill RV Park and Cabins and Big South Fork Lodge and Horse Campground. As of Monday afternoon, all but one of Laurel’s cabins were booked. Troxel said she expected that to fill before the sale’s kickoff.
“It’s been that way for the past three or four years,” Troxel added. “We’ve had people come from all over the country, and we’ve even had guests from oversees.”
Pickers who travel along Highway 127 can expect a smorgasbord of surprises, from knick-knacks to collectibles; even animals are up for grabs. Troxel says she usually tries to make at least one day of the sale. Her favorite spot to shop is between Jamestown and Clarkrange.
“We were out yesterday, and Cumberland Mountain General Store was just hopping,” she said. “We were very surprised by how many people were already set up. Hopefully there will be a great turnout this weekend.”
The World’s Longest Yard Sale is in its 28th year. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/127Sale/info?tab=page_info.
