Citizen presents dream that could bring thousands of visitors      

Garage sales could line Rt. 66 one weekend of the year

[JAN. 25, 2007]  Miles of garage sales along Old Route 66 is the vision Bruce Huskins would like to see come true here in Logan County. Huskins came before the Lincoln City Council on Tuesday evening to share his idea. He addressed the Logan County Board the week before.

Huskins said that he has been talking to three other cities, trying to find a date that would work for everyone and not conflict with other scheduled events. He is asking the cities and the county for permission to allow anyone to set up their garage sale wares on property along Route 66.

In Lincoln he would like to have permission for vendors to set up at Postville Park.

He said that two guys in Clark County started this, and in one year it went so well that it grew to 450 miles of garage sales, Huskins said. This has become a big thing down South.

Huskins said that when he and his wife went to Covington, Ky., there were signs that said, "Set up here free." They found a spot and his wife unloaded some dolls first, which all quickly sold. They were ready to stay and camp, but rather used their earnings and stayed in a motel there that night, he said, chuckling.

They've gone South a couple of times and had a great time and would like to see the same thing happening here.

Several council members were supportive, saying that they've heard about this going on down South and thought it was a good idea.

Mayor Beth Davis agreed and suggested that it would be good to tie into some other events that are already scheduled, such as Lincoln Heritage Days on July 4, 5, 6 and 7.

City attorney Bill Bates said that there would need to be some means of providing liability insurance to cover the use of the property.

It will be looked into how the county handles liability protection for similar activities that are held every year at Scully and Latham parks. It could be that the city's liability insurance might cover this activity.

It was suggested that Huskins might seek the umbrella of some other organization, such as the Route 66 Foundation, for the insurance.

It was also suggested that he contact Geoff Ladd at Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County to help implement the event. Huskins said he has already done that.

[]