Still time to get in on Route 66 Garage Sale

[April 14, 2011]  Does your garage need to be cleaned out? How about your basement? Do you have some closets that need to be thinned out? Now is the time to host your garage sale and be a part of something bigger and better. Townwide garage sales are a big part of the new and improved Route 66 Garage Sale, and it is right around the corner.

The Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County is once again bringing its annual garage sale to Logan County and beyond, and with it some big changes, starting with the date. The fifth annual Route 66 Garage Sale, typically in June, has moved this year to May 13-14. The hours will be 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The garage sale throughout the county will use Postville Park on Fifth Street in Lincoln as its only sanctioned vendor site.

"This concentrates our vendors into the shopper's favorite bustling location," said Geoff Ladd, the new project manager.

In addition, all of the Route 66 Logan County communities, including Atlanta, Lawndale, Lincoln, Broadwell and Elkhart, along with the neighbors to the north in McLean and the neighbors to the south in Williamsville, will have townwide garage sales, and the downtown businesses in all these communities are invited to have sidewalk sales.

The Route 66 Heritage Foundation is happy to have everyone involved in this family event showcasing Route 66 and what the communities along it have to offer.

The 2011 event has moved to the weekend after the Red Carpet Corridor Festival in the northern Illinois section of Route 66. Ladd also noted there is potential interest in the southern Illinois part of Route 66 having a similar event on the weekend after the Route 66 Garage Sale.

"These three combined weekends along the famous road would fulfill somewhat a goal of having the event go statewide," Ladd said.

The Route 66 Garage Sale was founded by Bruce Huskins, who over the past four years worked diligently to make it a successful family event for Lincoln and Logan County. Without his hard work it would not be the success that it is today. Huskins has stepped down as the project manager, and Ladd, the Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County chairman, has taken on the position.

"We have been so grateful for Bruce, and all his hard work. The sale will not be the same without him," Ladd said.

To make the weekend a huge success, the Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County encourages as much involvement from Lincoln and the surrounding communities as possible. This will be a great weekend not only for vendors and families in each community having garage sales, but also a great opportunity for churches, youth organizations and other not-for-profits to get involved and raise funds for their groups. Businesses have sponsorship and advertising opportunities as well. Many options are available so that everyone can be a part of the event.

Proceeds will go toward restoration of The Mill on Route 66 (www.savethemill.org).

There is plenty of time to get your ad with your sale listing into the book for this year's garage sale. If your sale space is limited, there is still time to get a vendor listing and a spot at Postville Park for your sale.

The Route 66 Heritage Foundation looks forward to a very successful event that will showcase Lincoln, Logan County and its Route 66 heritage.

Volunteers are welcome.

Check out the website at www.route66garagesale.com for fees, forms and deadlines, or call 217-732-8687 with your questions.

[Text from file received from the Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County]