Community, Creswell

Yard ‘hard’

Plenty of sun and no rain is forecast this weekend – the perfect weather for ”sailing.”
The Creswell Citywide Yard Sale is Friday and Saturday, May 10-11. More than 120 addresses have been registered for the two-day event, Chamber Administrator Don Amberg said, though a slew of unregistered sales undoubtedly will sprout up throughout town.
Both days are calling for temperatures in the high 80s, with the evenings in the low 50s. Weather cooperated last year, though many can recall the 2017 rain washout for the sales.
The origin of the community sales in Creswell date back to 2002, when Creswell Library and Creswell Historical Museum held a joint yard sale. The next year, resident Clint Fisk, in charge of advertising for his church sale at Creswell Nazarene, volunteered to include other listings with his sale and drew up a map.
The following year, McCoy and her husband, Bill, were impressed by the Drain community yard sale they attended and wanted to mimic that model in Creswell.
For the next five to seven years, the McCoys collected and compiled listings and put out free maps for the community. It was always held the weekend before Memorial Day, McCoy said.
Each year the sale numbers would grow, and the couple eventually passed the project to the Creswell Chamber.
To avoid being ”that guy” who shows up and rifles through boxes before the tablecloths are even spread, it is worth noting that the majority of sales kick off between 8-9 a.m. both days. However, crack-of-dawn bargain-seekers can enjoy a smattering of 7 a.m. sale starts, including sales on D Street, Barber Drive North 1st and North Front streets, as well as one on North Pacific Highway.
If you’re having a sale, be cognizant of where you hang your signs. City code prohibits posting signs on utility poles and street signs, including yard sale signs. If you post a sign, it will be removed and you may be subject to fines up to $500 per violation, according to the code.
Alternatively, you can place these signs on A-frames, City Manager Michelle Amberg said, on your vehicle, and on your own property. Sale experts say the best way to make a yard sale sign is to use bright colors and keep it to as few words as possible.
Humorous signs are a plus, and many were seen last year in town. Some of last year’s silly signs alluded to popular culture, including Lord of the Rings: ”One does not simply pass by a yard sale without stopping;” Sir Mix-a-Lot: ”Oh my god, Becky. Look at that sale. It is so big;” the Most Interesting Man in the World: ”I don’t always go to yard sales, but when I do, I turn here.”
You’ll also want to make it easy on the buyer by grouping similar items together. Sort clothes by size, organize books and DVDs. And run an extension cord out to your sale if you are selling electronics so that customers can plug them in to see if they work.
And don’t forget to do a pocket check on your sale items to be sure a $20 isn’t hiding out in a pocket of some old jeans or purse.
Sale experts say the colored dot stickers work best. Instead of individually pricing each item, use the colored dots to define prices – red stickers mean items are $1, green stickers mean items are 50 cents, and so on. Another proven method is to have a table with a fixed price for everything.
If you’re planning on ”sailing,” remember that cash is king at yard sales, so hit up an ATM before you hit the road.
Avoid getting overwhelmed by the amount of sales by checking out the map inside and planning your route. Higher-end items will likely be found in pricier neighborhoods, while antiques can likely be found in older neighborhoods, where generations of families have lived.
The cream of the crop can be found within the first half-hour of the sale, so if you’re looking for products to resell, you might want to be an early bird this weekend. If you’re looking for great deals, try showing up near closing time, as sellers will be more prepared to lower their prices and maybe even give it away.
Amberg said she wants people to ”Drive carefully and have a great time – but don’t double-park,” she said, laughing. ”We understand this is a big event and it should be fun for everyone. The best way to do that is to follow the rules and be respectful to everyone.”

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