This is a Letter from the creator of the Hwy 27 Yardsale.......Enjoy!!!!!!
Hi!
I'm B. J. I created the first Hwy 27 Yard Sale website and organized the event in it's early years. This is how it all began and where we are now.
My mom, grandmother, and aunt had yard sales in my grandmother's front yard on Hwy 27 for years. They notice an increase in business the first weekend in August. People kept asking if they were on Hwy 127. When the same phenomenon happened, again, they started asking why so many were asking. It wasn't until 2002 that they found out why. They were told about the "Longest Yard Sale In The World" running from Kentucky to
Alabama.
After a little research, I found out why people were ending up on Hwy 27. The route through Chattanooga was a little sketchy and people were getting off I-24 on Rossville Blvd. By the time they got to Walker County, they would realize they were on the wrong route. The same thing was happening
at the other end of Lookout Mtn. Lost tourist would be in Summerville before they realized they didn't make the right turn...or actually the left turn on top of the mountain.
In 2003, we decided to organize a Yard Sale event for lost tourist. We printed maps that explained how to get back up on top of Lookout Mtn., to the "official" route. Some mountain folk accused us of trying to steal their business. We were actually just trying to be nice to tourist and entertain them as they found the best route up the mountain.
In 2004, we launched a website and advertised on-line and at Georgia Welcome Centers. The event continued to grow each year.
In 2007, I announced I could no longer maintain the website or organize the event. I requested someone take over, but no one stepped up to the plate. Although I couldn't be involved in any of it, the Yard Sale continued each year. Without advertising, or website, or anything. It just spontaneously happened year after year
In 2011, I returned to develop the website once again. As long as Weebly.com is willing to sponsor us, we should be able to keep the information
available to you.
In 2012, a few people volunteered and we formed a committee to plan and promote the event. That year, there were yard sales throughout Georgia on Hwy 27. There were clusters in LaFayette, Summerville, Cedartown, Carrolton, and Columbus. But there were a lot of long spots without yardsales along the route. Hopefully, next year, our tenth, will be bigger and better.
In 2013, we had our biggest event, yet. Our committee gained a group in Bainbridge that did an excellent job promoting the south end of Georgia. But, we had disappointing results in the middle of Georgia. Callaway Gardens got involved this year. There was also a group in Kentucky that organized a Hwy 27 Yard Sale for the 1st weekend of September.
2014 created a lot of confusion. We decided to have the event on the 1st weekend of August, as usual. The 127, for some reason, held there's on the second weekend of August. And, Kentucky, gaining popularity kept their date of 1st weekend of September. But, we learned that we are not dependant on the 127. Walker County participated both weekends and reported more sales during the 27. In the end, it was a very good event.
We are now planning for next year. We need you to advertise your space or business. The more info we have for tourist, the more tourist will come to the event. Advertising is free...for participants along Hwy 27. If you are not on Hwy 27, you can advertise for $25.00 per year. If you are close enough to Hwy 27 to feel your ad should be free, ask. We are always willing to review all request. We understand that sometimes an address isn't the whole story. So, use our "Contact Us" form to let us know you want to be included.
We also need sponsors to help fund advertising. For $25.00, you listing will be in our flyers, mailings, and other promotions. Click on "Contact Us" above.
Hi!
I'm B. J. I created the first Hwy 27 Yard Sale website and organized the event in it's early years. This is how it all began and where we are now.
My mom, grandmother, and aunt had yard sales in my grandmother's front yard on Hwy 27 for years. They notice an increase in business the first weekend in August. People kept asking if they were on Hwy 127. When the same phenomenon happened, again, they started asking why so many were asking. It wasn't until 2002 that they found out why. They were told about the "Longest Yard Sale In The World" running from Kentucky to
Alabama.
After a little research, I found out why people were ending up on Hwy 27. The route through Chattanooga was a little sketchy and people were getting off I-24 on Rossville Blvd. By the time they got to Walker County, they would realize they were on the wrong route. The same thing was happening
at the other end of Lookout Mtn. Lost tourist would be in Summerville before they realized they didn't make the right turn...or actually the left turn on top of the mountain.
In 2003, we decided to organize a Yard Sale event for lost tourist. We printed maps that explained how to get back up on top of Lookout Mtn., to the "official" route. Some mountain folk accused us of trying to steal their business. We were actually just trying to be nice to tourist and entertain them as they found the best route up the mountain.
In 2004, we launched a website and advertised on-line and at Georgia Welcome Centers. The event continued to grow each year.
In 2007, I announced I could no longer maintain the website or organize the event. I requested someone take over, but no one stepped up to the plate. Although I couldn't be involved in any of it, the Yard Sale continued each year. Without advertising, or website, or anything. It just spontaneously happened year after year
In 2011, I returned to develop the website once again. As long as Weebly.com is willing to sponsor us, we should be able to keep the information
available to you.
In 2012, a few people volunteered and we formed a committee to plan and promote the event. That year, there were yard sales throughout Georgia on Hwy 27. There were clusters in LaFayette, Summerville, Cedartown, Carrolton, and Columbus. But there were a lot of long spots without yardsales along the route. Hopefully, next year, our tenth, will be bigger and better.
In 2013, we had our biggest event, yet. Our committee gained a group in Bainbridge that did an excellent job promoting the south end of Georgia. But, we had disappointing results in the middle of Georgia. Callaway Gardens got involved this year. There was also a group in Kentucky that organized a Hwy 27 Yard Sale for the 1st weekend of September.
2014 created a lot of confusion. We decided to have the event on the 1st weekend of August, as usual. The 127, for some reason, held there's on the second weekend of August. And, Kentucky, gaining popularity kept their date of 1st weekend of September. But, we learned that we are not dependant on the 127. Walker County participated both weekends and reported more sales during the 27. In the end, it was a very good event.
We are now planning for next year. We need you to advertise your space or business. The more info we have for tourist, the more tourist will come to the event. Advertising is free...for participants along Hwy 27. If you are not on Hwy 27, you can advertise for $25.00 per year. If you are close enough to Hwy 27 to feel your ad should be free, ask. We are always willing to review all request. We understand that sometimes an address isn't the whole story. So, use our "Contact Us" form to let us know you want to be included.
We also need sponsors to help fund advertising. For $25.00, you listing will be in our flyers, mailings, and other promotions. Click on "Contact Us" above.