The third annual 421 Yard Sale will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, not only in Harlan County, but from Michigan City, Ind. to the coast of North Carolina.
This event, locally, is a project of Harlan 20/20 Community Development Foundation in cooperation with Harlan, Evarts and Cumberland Tourist commissions.
“We’d like to see this sale in every city across that 960 mile stretch of road on the same weekend,” said Jim Helton, 421 Yard Sale web master. “That is our eventual goal.”
Helton said the purpose of this event is to promote tourism, have fun and find great deals.
“Harlan County is dead in the center of U.S. 421,” said Helton. “Last year’s event did rather well. Each year the sale has gotten larger and that is what we are working toward. We’re getting more interest this year than last, lots of phone calls, applications and emails. We have several billboards, one at the Huddle House in Harlan and another one in Corbin hoping to bring out-of-towners into the Harlan County area.”
Preston McLain, Governor’s Office of Local Development Adventure Tourism representative for eastern Kentucky and vice chair for the Recreational Trails Program, said the sale is not limited to U.S. 421, but any main roadway connecting to U.S. 421 such as KY 33, U.S. 119 and U.S. 25E.
McLain said last year in Harlan County they saw approximately 400 yard sales and they are expecting that and more this year.
“In order for outsiders to find these yard sales we are recommending you post your yard sale on our Facebook page or visit our web site at www.421yardsale.com,” said Helton. “Residents will be able to use the Village Center Mall parking lot again this year. That seems to be a good location and it is centrally located. There is plenty of parking available.”
They will also host their annual “421 Duck Race,” which requires a $5 donation to participate.
“All proceeds benefit Harlan 20/20,” said McLain. “This year first place will win $500 and second place will win a 32 inch flat screen TV. The ducks will fly on Saturday at 4 p.m. from the Walmart/Don’s Super Saver bridge. If Mother Nature cooperates we’ll fly on that day, but if not we’ll do it as soon thereafter as the weather permits.”
Anyone wishing to purchase a duck may contact any member of Harlan 20/20 including Ron Frazier at the Harlan downtown Home Federal Bank, Kathy Jones or Kilgores in Evarts.
“We will also be setting up a table to sell tickets at the Village Center Mall on Saturday,” said McLain. “We invite everybody to stop by and purchase a duck.”
Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510 or on Twitter @Nola_hde
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