By: Charles Romans
Carter County Times
The Route 60 Yard Sale is an annual event that promotes commerce and tourism throughout the region. Each year vendors set up along Route 60 with offerings of used items, new items, and even a selection of homemade foods and drinks. The route winds its way through Kentucky, and in Carter County ‘mini malls’ could be found from Rush all the through to Grayson and Olive Hill. Many vendors come from across the region to set up locally, and the shoppers could literally be from anywhere – coming from near and far as they drive through and stop to see what is for sale.
James Smith set up along 60 near Star Elementary and said that he had a really good weekend. Smith set up at a friend’s house this year and said that he sets up at other locations during the year. For the Route 60 Yard Sale Smith brought a ‘little bit of everything’, including tools, games, and clothes.
“Friday and Saturday were really good days,” Smith said, adding that they were really busy with a lot of people showing up to browse and buy.
He said he expected Sunday to be an equally good day as well and expected the crowds to pick up in the afternoon.
“People look for almost anything,” Smith said of shoppers’ motivation. “Some people are looking for junk, some people are looking for really good stuff, and some people just like to dig through boxes to see what they can find.”
Smith said that yard sales are a type of low stress shopping that gets people out of the house and gives them something to do.
“So, I try to put different stuff out so everyone can find something that interests them.”
Mike and Tammy Fannin, of Ashland, were two other vendors who set up for the Route 60 Yard Sale. The Fannin’s deal mostly in antique furniture, from cabinets to baby rockers and even vintage coffee grinders. Mike Fannin said their weekend has been pretty busy and that they sold quite a few pieces. The shoppers who stopped to look at what they had to offer were mostly from Ashland, Greenup, and even Morehead as well as Carter County.
“We have done this for years,” Mike said. “Everyone knows we are going to be here, so they come see us. We even had a few come in from Lexington.”
Fannin said one of the things he appreciated about the Route 60 Yard Sale was the different items each vendor has for sale.
“Some people just have stuff you’d see at a yard sale,” Fannin said. “Some people have newer stuff, and some people put out antiques like we do.”
The variety of what can be found, he thinks, is a definite selling point to the annual event.
“And some people are just out looking around because it’s something to do,” Fannin said. “It’s good that they can get out and enjoy themselves, and maybe find something they want to buy.”
Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com
