"Mapmakers call it Highway 127, but the folks who live inside the dots on the map just call it Main Street.
"U.S. 127 meanders through lush valleys and scenic highlands, pausing to be the main drag in small towns and hamlets from Dunlap to the Ohio state line."
...
Ugh. I think I'm going to be sick.
I wrote those sugarcoated sentences in The Chattanooga Times in August 1987 on the eve of "America's Longest Outdoor Sale Festival." Still in my 20s, I remember being charmed by the brand-new event that has since come to be known internationally as the World's Longest Yard Sale.
Looking back, that first sale was a novel idea. Mike Walker, a 28-year-old Fentress County executive, had conceived the sale as a way to divert tourists into the heartland.
Two interstate highways (I-65 and I-75) had bled traffic away from the rural communities of the Cumberland Plateau, and Walker thought the Highway 127 sale would be a good way to push his dream of a vast Kentucky-Tennessee "vacation corridor."
The big outdoor sale was just a starting point. There were plans to add Civil War battle re-enactments and genealogical tours for people with family roots in the region. Existing tourist destinations such as Fall Creek Falls State Park and the coke ovens in Dunlap, Tenn., were to be featured.
The people I interviewed along the sale route in 1987 were like extras from central casting. There was a general store owner in Clarkrange, Tenn., selling Dr. LeGears Hog Prescription, and an antique car salvage yard proprietor near Grimsley, Tenn., dressed in overalls, whom I had to coax out from under his shade tree. These were good, authentic folks who seemed mildly amused about the whole deal.
...
Now, flash ahead 24 years. The 25th edition of the World's Longest Yard Sale begins this week.
I don't begrudge folks who make a buck on this event but, come on, this beast is out of control. It has grown into a 675-mile monster stretching from Hudson, Mich., to Gadsden, Ala. (So much for the Tennessee-Kentucky vacation corridor, huh?) HGTV even has tips for navigating the yard sale on its website.
Prime real estate along Highway 127 is leased by traveling flea-market vendors who set up elaborate warrens filled with boxes of VHS tapes, Harlequin romances and Beanie Babies. Oh, goody.
Depending on your point of view, the World's Longest Yard Sale has become a treasured middle-American phenomenon or a public nuisance. I'm leaning toward nuisance.
My perspective has changed 180 degrees, I guess. I was 29 years old the year of the first sale; now I'm 53. I lived in East Ridge then, and now I live about two blocks from Highway 127 on Walden's Ridge.
In the days before the yard sale, my family braces for the onslaught of traffic that will make us virtual captives in our home for a weekend in August.
On Saturday, Highway 127 traffic will slow to a crawl. I've seen people park in the middle of the highway and assume you don't mind waiting five minutes while they exit their SUV and browse a bit.
Well, of course not, neighbors. You take your time. So happy you have decided to buy a tax-free birdhouse from these good folks from Nebraska who have leased this half-acre lot to help us poor Appalachian folks with our tourism problem.
Meanwhile, from dusk to dawn, strangers will cruise through our neighborhood assuming anything they see is for sale. Leave your garage door open, and you invite the question: "What'll you take for that fancy leaf blower, buddy?"
My answer: "Oh, I don't know, Hoss -- $500? 'Bout what you paid for that truck, I guess."
Let me offer a radical thought: Maybe the World's Longest Yard Sale should take a break. It's been 24 years -- that's twenty-four chances to be introduced to the glories of the Tennessee-Kentucky vacation corridor.
I say it's about time for these folks to go meander through somebody else's hamlet.
Kennedy is the content editor of the Times Free Press Life sections and writes the “Life Stories” column. Previously, he was the first Sunday editor of the Times Free Press. Before Chattanooga’s newspapers were merged in 1999, Kennedy was the coordinating editor of the Chattanooga Times, where he had previously been an education reporter, feature writer and team leader. His first newspaper job was as sports editor of the Cleveland (Tenn.) Daily Banner. Kennedy’s human ...
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Wow. Kennedy finally writes a column about something other than his children, and whines about too much traffic in his Signal Mtn neighborhood one weekend a year. Just take a vacation, dude.
Good topic, looking at things that have run course maybe the Free Press is one of them speaking of antiquated presses printing paper. As a resident of Signal Mtn since the 70's the 127 yard sale has been the highlight of August for us. Obviously Kennedy is out of touch with the local Signal Mtn folks. I had a conversation with a store owner at the Sequatchie County line who told me without July 4th and the 127 sale he would be out of business. What about all the restaurants that are packed, grocery stores selling food and gas stations? Maybe even hotels? I guess all the money earned from selling junk is spent in all these places TAX FREE? Whatever, move back to East Ridge!
Got your Cranky Pants on today? You made a choice...to quote... I lived in East Ridge then, and now I live about two blocks from Highway 127 on Walden's Ridge.
Just when you think you have seen everything, a tool like this joker comes along. You know the type, always has to make noise trying to ensure that no one has a good time unless this Kennedy guy is in charge. I am a 5th generation Floridian and living in a state that depends on tourist money to survive, I know from experience if you treat your visitors with respect, they will in return respect you. Regardless of your republican need for taxes, they have been paid on the items sold and even without taxes, all of the money is going into all of the neighborhoods involved. The sellers will use money for bills, vacation or who knows, but it is money into your area. Additionally, the buyers travel from all over the world to participate in this PUBLIC event and every hotel/motel within miles of the corridor are filled to capacity only for 4 days out of the year. How about this for a change, look at the glass as half full and not half empty and get involved with your neighbors to show your pride in your community. Should you decide not to participate or even be open to the idea of thousands of people for 4 days out of the year get to go out, see beautiful scenery that is not available to most of us, meet some very fun people with stories to tell like you've never heard and who knows what the adventure will bring. Bottom line how about live and let live. I can't imagine a must see event going on in the middle of nowhere that you must attend, so just pretend the circus is in town and whether you like it or not, it's here and will be gone in 4 days. Enjoy your weekend Mr. Kennedy...The Show Will Go On, now play nice.
What you mean ran it's course it has just gotten better. It now reaches out to more people in more states stimulating the economy in rural areas that if the 127 did not exist those areas would not either. It is like Nascar races, the Kentucky Derby, or any other major attraction it generates revenue and traffic. I would think as a writer it would be one heck of a story to write about. The tales to be told about the individuals that come to enjoy 4 days of a 675 mile scavanger hunt through some of the most beautiful countryside. Not only is there a story in the people from all over the country coming to buy but stories about the people that come from all over to sell. And of course the stories of the locals that for a mear week or less of traffic they are able to pay thier taxes or even make improvement on thier homes with the money they make. (tax free) The Hwy 127 Longest yard sale has earned the reputation of a must see for your bucket list. It is now ledgendary after 25 years. Whether you like it or not it is going to continue and if you hate what it stands for then I suggest moving out of the area where you can write about the grass growing. I plan on enjoying my 4 day adventure making memories of a lifetime. What are you going to do worth remembering? Have a great day.......
WOW!!! If it's that bad for you to get out of your driveway, take a vacation.
The traffic is a bit of an hassle commuting to work for me, but I also realize that it helps our local businesses and I'm all for anything that helps them out!
I too live rather close to the yard sale. In fact, you could say that my street intersects with highway 127. But after having read all of these comments, I see how wrong I was to think that this yard sale had gone too far for too long. Where did I see a problem with people parking their cars, literally, in front of the stop sign or right along the side of the road so that I couldn't see any cars that may be coming which has caused me to be hit just trying to go to work the past 4 years? What's wrong with people taking your dog when you were out of the house, or your pressure washer? Oh right, because all of those things have happened to me. Well, why not take a vacation for that weekend, as well as the week before and after as the build up gets to its worst on Wednesday and maintains that for the following week? It wouldn't be a bad idea, except for the fact that I have to work and to make money, I don't get vacation time, and bills still need paying even when you're not there. That's a shame. Otherwise all of those comments would have been great ideas. I wonder why I never had them before.
I live in Manchester Tn ..2 miles from Bonnaroo Music festival.What are you complaining about. Our town goes from 10,000 people to 110,000 for four days and they ALL stay for 4 days ..not just passing through...WAAAAAAH ! You dont like the yardsale....MOVE and take your pocket protector collections with you. It,s not about YOU.Good thing you dont live near the Grand Canyon or Yellow stone...or would you be ending those too? One weekend a year...then it's over....you can make it .It,s a good thing no one wanted it stopped when you were young or you would never have seen it. 90% of the patrons are grey headed and very polite...a wonderful experience for all ages. Not alot of things for families to do like this anymore. I hope it comes back for years.
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