Georgia's Biggest Outdoor Yard Sale links 'The Peaches to The Beaches'

Some people live for yard sales. If you count yourself among them, don't miss the fifth annual Peaches to the Beaches Yard Sale, Georgia's largest yard sale, Friday and Saturday March 13 and 14.

The Peaches to the Beaches Yard Sale spans 212 miles, from the beaches of Brunswick & The Golden Isles to the peach orchards of middle Georgia, along US Highway 341. In Brunswick & The Golden Isles, official yard sale sites will be in:

• Downtown Brunswick at Mary Ross Waterfront Park on Bay Street -
Saturday only from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

• St. Simons Island in the Pier Village - Friday-Sunday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm

• Jekyll Island at the Beach Deck on Beachview Drive -
Friday and Saturday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Other official yard sale sites along US 341 will be in Gardi, Jesup, Odum, Baxley, Hazlehurst, Lumber City, McRae, Helena, Chauncy, Eastman, Hawkinsville, Perry, Fort Valley, Roberta and Culloden. In addition, there are sure to be plenty of unofficial sites along the way.

Yard Sale vendors, many of whom have participated in previous sales, will offer an array of goods from antiques and collectibles to craft items, food and other yard sale fare.

The Peaches to the Beaches Yard Sale was inspired by the “World’s Longest Yard Sale,” which runs along US Highway 127 from Gadsden, AL to West Unity, OH.

“I read about it in a newspaper article in which the writers traveled from one end to the other,” says Evelyn Simmons of the Golden Isles Parkway Association, which is sponsoring the event. “In 2000 and 2001, my husband and I drove the entire trail and had a marvelous time. It seemed like a natural thing for us to do along the Golden Isles Parkway.”

Simmons says there is an entire subculture of buyers and sellers that work the Alabama-Kentucky trail. “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure,” she explains. “We met antique dealers who would drive the trail in search of items that they would buy, take home and clean up, and then sell the following year.”

“People like to haggle,” Simmons adds. “There is a real camaraderie and willingness to share among those who participate in yard sales. It’s like a treasure hunt where you can find the best bargains.”

There also is a great economic benefit for communities and organizations that participate, Simmons continues. “We talked with Chamber of Commerce and Tourism representatives all along the trail, and the revenues generated by the various groups was phenomenal. Many places had never had anything that provided such a widespread economic impact for hotels, restaurants, gas stations and other businesses.”

“It's a great opportunity for Georgians and others to get off the Interstates, enjoy a beautiful drive and take a look at our small towns and cities. We think they will be surprised at what they find.”

Peaches to the Beaches Yard Sale sites will be open Friday and Saturday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Several communities will have their sites open Sunday as well.

For more information, visit the official Peaches to the Beaches Yard Sale site.