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 The sales kicked off on Friday morning and
featured more than 75 locations this year. Some of those locations
such as the VFW on Fifth Street and Postville Park just down the
road a block featured multiple vendors selling their wares.
In its thirteenth year, the garage sales are going strong and
growing as an important part of the Route 66 experience for
travelers, and today it is expected that traffic will be heavy in
some areas as shoppers flock to various locations in search of
special bargains.
At Postville Park a number of vendors were set up. Some were
offering items along the lines of home-based businesses while others
were featuring more traditional yard sale of flea market items.
Either way there was plenty of merchandise to choose from, and
shoppers were there on Friday making purchases.
Also featured at the Postville Park was a large play
area for the youngsters. Inflatable bounce houses and obstacle
course were garnering attention from the younger generation.
Down the road the VFW also offered several vendors
that are home-based businesses, as well as some hand-crafted items.
In addition the St. John United Church of Christ in Lincoln was
holding a bake sale with the proceeds to go toward the veteran
celebration the church hosts each year in November.
A sign outside the VFW also made promise of something else that many
shoppers look forward to, food prepared by the Marine Corps. The
Marine Corps League will be preparing sandwiches fresh off the grill
on Saturday only.
The Logan County Genealogical and Historical Society
was also hosting a sale at the LCG&HS Center on Chicago Street.
Inside some of the better attractions were a wide variety of books
pertaining to local history. There was also a large selection of
high school and college yearbooks. In addition, the sale offered a
lot of miscellaneous items from home décor to housewares and a large
selection of jewelry.
At the Oasis, the large dining area that takes up the
west half of the building was filled wall-to-wall with some really
great items. If one is looking for home décor, collectibles or a lot
of miscellaneous this is a must stop location.
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Oasis Director Nancy Cunningham said that there were some items
that were priced, simply because they were donated and are items of value, so
the Oasis would like to get a good return on the donors’ generosity. Other items
are “make an offer,” and are still some really terrific finds.
For example there is a huge selection of Cardinal
(the bird not the baseball team) home décor most of which are
figurines that can be set on a shelf. And if you need the shelf, the
Oasis had some of those as well. Other offerings included
dinnerware, cookware, and just downright pretty stuff.
The Humane Society of Logan County started their
garages sales with a special preview night on Thursday, and crowds
flocked to find the best bargains possible. Don’t worry though, with
literally thousands of items to choose from there will still be
items on hand to last the rest of the weekend.
In addition to the garage sales, many of the downtown Lincoln
businesses are holding special Route 66 sales, so don’t forget to
stop and shop around the square.
Food offerings this weekend will also be abundant. For those who
remember the days of the Mill and the famous Schnitzel sandwich, the
Billiard’s Café will be offering Schnitzel specials this weekend.
Restaurants and coffee houses will be open downtown. And if you want
a quick grab and go sandwich on the run the options include the
Marine Corp League at the VFW and a drive through ribeye and
porkshop fundraiser for Relay for Life in the parking lot at
CCAOnline, 601 Keokuk Street.
For those who don’t have one yet, garage sale maps were still
available on Friday at the VFW as well as several of the local
convenience stores. Be sure to stop in and grab one so you find all
the city has to offer.
[Nila Smith]
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