August is finally here and with it, the 127 Corridor Yard Sale. Stretching from Covington, Ky., 400 miles south to Gadsden, Ala., it is the longest yard sale in the world and will descend upon Owen County Aug. 3-6.
Vendors were already setting up their wares locally over the weekend, staking out the best spots to attract sales when bargain hunters come through this week.
Begun in Fentress County, Tenn., in 1987, the original intent of the sale was to prove backroads have something to offer, and that the interstate system is not the only mode for travel. With more than 300 attractions along the route, there is something for everybody, whether it be beautiful scenery, a down-home band or bits of Civil War or Indian history.
Thousands of people participate in the sale each year as vendors, according to 127sale.com. In Owen County, there are several stops with clusters of sellers — Hunter’s Greenhouse rents approximately 40 spots on Sparta Road and Marcus Carey rents space in Poplar Grove.
Carey said with more than 5,000 visitors at his location last year, several of the vendors sold out by the second day of the sale and had to go back for more. This site is on Hwy. 127 but is accessible from a side-road with plenty of parking. In the future, Carey said he hopes to build a covered structure with electricity, water and bathrooms on the site.
In addition to hundreds of Owen Countians who will clean out their basements for the sale, several others will play chef for the hungry shoppers. These food vendors are currently scheduled to set up in Owen County: Carolyn Taylor at Craigmyles; Doug and Debbie Johnson on Todd Lane; Greg Webster at Hudnalls; Gary Hunter at Hunter’s Greenhouse; Tina Major at Craigmyle’s Furniture; and Paul Wilson at Rita’s Furniture.
Justin Pittman at the District Health Department said the number of food vendors varies from year to year, but there are typically 10 to 15 that file for permits. He said he expects to issue additional permits this week as the yard sale draws near.
As always, safety is an issue during the 127 yard sale. Heavy traffic traveling at a slow pace can be expected as people look to see what is on a seller’s lawn. Drive carefully and defensively, and watch for sudden stops that may occur without warning.
“People need to be extremely careful. Look both ways when you cross the street and don’t let children dart out in front of cars,” Owen County Sheriff Zemer Hammond cautioned. “Drivers are looking at the sales themselves and aren’t always watching the road, so everyone just needs to be careful.”
In addition to local law enforcement patrolling Hwy. 127, the Kentucky Department of Transportation will increase patrols.
Cars parked in emergency lanes can be towed, and cars cannot block intersections. The intersection by the Craigmyles where highways 127 and 35 meet is accident-prone and will be heavily watched, Hammond said.
“That’s the main route and people park and block drivers’ views,” he said. “If that’s the case, we have to tow them.” Hammond added that drivers should park 50 to 75 yards from any intersection for safety reasons.
For more information regarding the Hwy 127 Corridor Sale, visit www.127sale.com.

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