By JOSH AULT
6 News Reporter
JAMESTOWN (WATE) - The World's Longest Yard Sale kicks off in two days and folks in Fentress County are doing some last minute preparations ahead of the event.
The World's Longest Yard Sale doesn't officially start until Thursday, but yard sales signs are already visible up and down the corridor.
The yard sale, which runs along Highway 127, starts in Gasden, Alabama and ends in Addison, Michigan. It began in Fentress County 25 years ago.
"The World's Longest Yard Sale was basically started in 1987 by a former county executive here in Fentress County by the name Mike Walker as a way of getting people off the interstate, trying to get people on the back roads," said Walter Page, the executive director of the Fentress County Chamber of Commerce.
Folks in Jamestown said at first it wasn't very successful, but as the years have passed, it has grown more and more popular. Now, the yard sale covers 690 miles and six states.
Jamestown is still the headquarters for the yard sale.
"We checked today all our lodging facilities, campgrounds, cabins. We have the one motel in town is booked. Everything is pretty much filled up in our area for at least a week," said Page.
City officials said millions of dollars come in each year from the yard sale's success.
Kathy Owens, of Jamestown, has been participating since the yard sale started 25 years ago.
"A lot is from the house. We sell a lot of clothes and different merchandise, glassware, whatever," said Owens. "One year I made $1800."
People come from all over the country to participate in the yard sale. 6 News ran into one family that came all the way from Texas.
"You meet people from 30 to 40 states every year here," said Nick Crabtree, a visitor from Texas. "I think this is probably my eleventh year helping my mom."
"People debate the price, the price is debatable, this is, I have $25 on, which is very reasonable," said vendor Dottie Crabtree, holding up a necklace. "You don't get rich, because if you figure your gas and everything, you come out a little bit... I think if you didn't enjoy it, it probably wouldn't be worth it."
The official kick off for the World's Longest Yard Sale will begin Thursday morning in front of the Fentress County Chamber of Commerce.
Kathy Owens, of Jamestown, has been participating since the yard sale started 25 years ago.
Everything from furniture to books to clothing is up for grabs at the yard sale.
