The 301 Endless Yard Sale is a shopper’s paradise and is one event that is not to be missed. The sale covers Harnett, Johnston, Wilson, Nash, and Halifax counties in North Carolina. You never know what treasures you’ll come across. Past shoppers have found antiques, clothing, vintage records, and even farm equipment and boats!
After much anticipation, a date has finally been established for 2021: June 18 and 19 from 7 a.m.–5 p.m. Admission is free, making this a great event for friends and family to attend together. It is also an excellent opportunity to explore the surrounding area and get to know some charming North Carolina towns! If you plan to check out the 301 Endless Yard Sale this year, here are some tips for a successful experience!
1. Dress For The Occasion
Comfort is arguably one of the most important things during a long day of bargain hunting. The weather in North Carolina in June is quite warm, with an average high temperature of 88 degrees. Therefore, you should dress for hot conditions; for example, shorts and lightweight tops. Be sure to wear and bring plenty of sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself against the sun. Also, I recommend wearing comfortable sneakers or closed-toe shoes. Sneakers will provide you with good support for when you peruse each stand and protect you from any bugs or ants lurking in the grass.
2. Carry Cash
Although we live in the age of automatic and electronic payments, the Endless Yard Sale is not the place to try out fancy new payment methods. Cash is best received at this event. It is convenient and quick. A combination of small and mid-sized bills is best, as vendors will appreciate not having to dig around for change for large bills.
3. Make A List Of Items You Want
It is easy to get overwhelmed by all the vendors and items for sale. Therefore, it’s vital to jot down a list of things that you are really interested in buying. Maybe you’re looking for an antique chair for the reading corner in your bedroom or old baseball cards for your kids. Perhaps you’re a big fan of vintage clothing and are looking to add some more spice to your wardrobe! Whatever you seek, you’ll have a better chance of finding it if you stay focused and don’t get sidetracked by the plethora of goods for sale. Making a list also helps you stay within your budget and assess how much you are willing to pay for an item.
4. Stay On Track
As the name suggests, the Endless Yard Sale is seemingly endless. One hundred miles is a long way to go, and if you don’t stay on track, you may miss out on some of it. Make a plan for where you want to go and how long you want to visit. You may decide you want to stay in one county and fan out from there. Alternatively, if you’d like to see everything that the event has to offer, set a time limit for how long you’ll stay in each area. Then set a meeting time and place so that everyone in your group is free to roam where they choose. Bear in mind that yard sales will be held in various locations, from homes to open fields, parking lots, and side streets. Don’t forget to schedule in time for meals, especially if you plan on eating at a restaurant in town.
5. Snacks And Hydration
When preparing for a long day of shopping, it’s imperative to be well equipped with snacks and drinks. Given that the weather will be quite warm, it is easy to become dehydrated. To prevent this, water bottles, Gatorade, and juice boxes for the kids are all great options to have at the ready! Protein bars or granola bars are good easy snacks for everyone. Having food on hand will keep moods pleasant and temper tantrums at bay.
For lunch and dinner, consider exploring the nearby towns for local cuisine. Johnston county offers everything from well-known chains to farm-to-table dining, and of course, BBQ.
6. Bring Bags For Your Treasures
While shopping, you’ll want your hands free to look through items and examine them closely. That’s why I recommend bringing a backpack or a rolling bag with you on your trip. For smaller items and knickknacks, you can easily store your finds in a backpack. Larger items can be housed in your rolling bag; the last thing you want is to be walking around with a hefty bag on your back. Backpacks are also useful for storing your snacks, water, cash, and other essentials.
7. Stay Alert While Driving
This event takes place along a 2-lane highway, so be sure to park and get out if you see something you like. This event attracts over 15,000 shoppers, so the road will be busy with cars ahead of you, as well as pedestrians. If you are traveling with your family, keep young children close and make sure they know the rules. If you are traveling with more people, I suggest having them look out for interesting sites and sales to stop at while the driver stays focused on the busy road ahead.
8. Know That Hours May Vary
Although officially, the hours of the 301 Endless Yard Sale are from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., keep in mind that hours from vendor to vendor may vary. Vendors have the choice of when they want to begin and end selling. However, it is recommended that they sell within those hours.
9. Do Some Digging Before You Get There
Having an idea about where the hot vendor spots are on your journey helps with the ease of your travel. You can find vendor maps for each of the five counties here. The 100-mile route is a straight shot and runs north to south and vice versa. You can begin at one end and travel the whole way through or begin in the middle. Johnston County, the original site of the sale, is the most saturated with vendors.
10. Choose Your Car Wisely
Based on what you plan on finding at the 301 Endless Yard Sale, you may want to assess the vehicle you are taking to the event. Shipping and postal services are available for those who don’t want to take their finds with them right away. However, if you don’t want to wait for shipping services, consider bringing a van or truck to load and transport your goodies quickly. There’s nothing worse than finding that perfect piece of furniture and having to leave it behind or pay extra for shipping because it won’t fit in your vehicle.
11. Make A Reservation At A Hotel
If you plan to stay for both days of the yard sale, it’s important to remember to make a reservation at a hotel. Don’t chance it by waiting until the last minute to book a room. The 301 Endless Yard Sale draws people from all over the country, even from Canada, so you can be sure it will be terribly busy. There are plenty of hotels available across the five counties participating in the sale.
The 301 Endless Yard Sale is a unique experience with plenty to see and find. Of course, planning is always essential when organizing a trip that goes off without a hitch! However, if you aren’t searching for something in particular, aimlessly perusing each yard sale is a fun way to spend the day. Keep in mind that although the event is held outside, event organizers recommend bringing a mask and hand sanitizer and trying to do your best to social distance. Visiting the 301 Endless Yard Sale is a summer must-see you won’t want to miss.
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