8/9/2008 6:05:00 AM
Van Wert invaded by bargain hunters
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| This couple does a quick scope of what they can see from the sidewalk before heading up to where this yard sale is set up. Van Wert was the place to be for bargain hunters this weekend as the 127 Corridor and Highway Buy-Way Yard Sales crossed in downtown. |
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BY KIRK DOUGAL
Times Bulletin Editor
kdougal@timesbulletin
If garage sales were in a Hollywood movie, then Van Wert this weekend would be called "The Perfect Storm."
Van Wert became the center of bargain hunters as the 127 Corridor Sale and the Lincoln Highway Buy-Way Yard Sale crossed in Van Wert. Cars lined the streets and stretched out into the countryside as people dug through piles of clothes, rifled through boxes of old books, and generally searched for anything that looked like a good deal.
With some shopping left today, indications are that the sales have been a huge success - and a huge draw to the area.
"Yesterday and today have just been unbelievable," said Larry Lee, Executive Director of the Van Wert Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. "I personally talked to people from Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Illinois, Pennsylvania.... and I asked them 'Why are you here? Is it just the garage sales?' and that was the reason they came here."
Lee also said that last week he was still receiving requests for information about the sales, including one from England but he did not know if they actually flew over to attend. He was excited about the fact the two sales converge on Van Wert again next year as well.
"The fact that we have two of them at the same time this year and next year, I just think it is just a tremendous thing for the community," he said. "It is bringing lots and lots of people to town."
He pointed out that they had set up an information trailer on the corner of Main St. and Washington St. where volunteers had been passing out fliers, not just about the sales, but also about Van Wert in general. Lee had wanted to wander around town a little bit more today than he had but, with everything going on this weekend, he was unsuccessful.
"I had hoped to travel around to the yard sale sites, but with those antique cars in town today and the rib cook-off tomorrow, I never got out of the office today," he said with a laugh. "It's just a tremendous weekend."
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