On Saturday, March 14 and Saturday, Apr. 4, bargain hunters in Fayette County and the surrounding areas can shop ‘til they drop at community yard sales held by the Fayette County Parks and Recreation Department.

Over the past seven years, shoppers and sellers have met in the fall and spring at one of the largest yard sale events in the area. This spring, because there was such a popular demand for it, there are two yard sales.

“In October, we filled up all of our booth space in 10 days and had a waiting list of close to 30 people,” said Mike Swanson, program director for Fayette Parks and Recreation. “This weekend’s yard sale puts it in a different area than the past, but with shoppers coming from as far as Norcross or Macon, the location doesn’t matter.”

The vendors are mostly local residents, although one comes from as far as Marietta, and the items they sell range from clothing to computer equipment, antiques and custom made jewelry. One item that will likely generate a lot of interest is a Size 8 wedding dress. In addition to the yard sale items, there will also be a variety of food items for sale. The booths range from two parking spaces for individuals to organizations that can go over six parking spaces or more.

Saturday’s yard sale will take place at McCurry Park in the parking lots by the football field and football fieldhouse from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. - rain or shine - and, as always, there will be free admission and free parking.

“The community yard sale gives people a chance to go to 50 yard sales in one location and comparison shop,” said Swanson. “With the current state of the economy, these yards sales will likely be more popular than ever.”

Any items that aren’t sold can be donated to Atlanta Alliance for Developmental Disability, so the yard sales also work well for people trying to do some spring cleaning.

The Spring Yard Sale on April 4 will feature a fundraising booth for the Fayette County Special Olympics.  The goal of the Fayette County Special Olympics is to help bring persons with intellectual disabilities into the larger society under conditions whereby they are accepted, respected, and given the chance to become useful and productive citizens.  When we achieve this goal through our sports program, we demonstrate that Special Olympics has a unique value: to show the world that every person counts and that every person can be something good when we work together.

Fayette County Special Olympics invests in people with intellectual disabilities, helping them to develop athletic skills, while also promoting the abilities of the athletes off the field.  When our athletes succeed, attitudes change, the community develops, health and self-esteem are built, and the eyes of the world are focused on all that is good and hopeful and positive.  Athletes gain skills for employment, learn independent living skills, form relationships and help others understand their extraordinary capabilities despite health issues they experience daily.

Twenty-three different sports are offered on the state-level for athletes to experience; Fayette County actively participates in 18 of those sports including badminton, swimming, soccer and gymnastics.  Our athletes range in age from 8 years old to 61 years old!

It is only through volunteers that we are we able to fulfill our mission in serving our athletes and continue to grow. The volunteers are dedicated to providing the highest quality programs and services to the athletes and serve as certified coaches, event staff, unified sports partners and fundraisers.  The continuing success of the organization depends on the ongoing support of the community.

You can help these athletes in the Fayette County Special Olympics in various ways; by volunteering, coaching, donating or sponsoring an athlete or event.  For more information about the Spring Yard Sale or Fayette County Special Olympics, please call the Fayette County Parks & Recreation Department at 770-716-4320 or visit www.fayettecountyga.gov.

login to post comments