Community Ideas and Opportunities            This a non-sponsored event, meaning that it is not promoted by any particular organization, but represents the efforts of volunteers and those who wish to promote their communities. As such, the nature of the sale will vary along the route, which crosses mountains as well as farm land. In some communities U.S. Route 20 is now a 4 lane highway. With such diversity, many decisions will have to be made at the local level.           The Route 20 Yard Sale is a perfect opportunity for schools, churches and civic organizations to make money. It can also be coordinated with other community activities into an overall theme. 1. Recycling - Many communities have spring recycling days. The most environmentally friendly type of recycling is for the item to be put to a new use by someone else. If your community has a recycling day, why not schedule it the week after the sale? Rather than taking a working stove to the landfill, try selling it first. 2. Business Promotions - Route 20 remains the Main Street of many communities in America. Perhaps the local Chamber of Commerce can encourage sidewalk sales and other promotions during the event. Motels and restaurants can also run special promotions for the sale weekend. 3. The Yard Sale as a Fundraiser - It is likely that there will be out-of-town sellers looking for places to set-up. A school, church, or civic organization can locate a large parking lot or field and set-up space for vendors. This space could be rented out for the weekend. If you gather enough vendors, you could also charge a small fee for parking or for entry. (The Route 20 Yard Sale is generally free, but most potential buyers would be willing to pay a dollar or two parking/entry fee if they knew there were, say, 100 vendors in one spot. If the local Band Boosters can attract 100 vendors and charge them, say, $30 set-up fee for the weekend, that is $3,000. If 2,000 people visit and pay $2 entry fee each, that is another $4,000. The organization earns $7,000 that weekend. It is less time involvement than a month-long candy sale and 100% of the proceeds stay with the organization. 4. Sowing Seeds - The Route 20 Yard Sale attracts visitors along a route they might otherwise travel. Having once visited, it is likely that many will want to return at other times of the year. This is a great opportunity for communities and businesses to have promotional materials available for distribution. [ Home ] Presented by: Images & Website design Copyright © 2006 Phoenix Studio. All rights reserved. All information is provided as a community service without liability.

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