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State’s largest yard sale brings thousands of visitors to Lewis County

By DARLENE J. SWIGER

The Weston News

WESTON, W.Va. — The Lewis County Convention and Visitors Bureau, along with the Upshur County CVB, is accepting registrations for West Virginia’s Largest Yard Sale on Aug. 4 and 5, which brings thousands of visitors to the area.

West Virginia’s Largest Yard Sale, in Weston and Buckhannon, is planned for Aug. 4-5.
(Submitted photo)

Past sales have featured hundreds of sales lining the streets of Weston and Buckhannon, along with the outlying areas of the counties.

Lewis CVB Executive Director Chris Richards said they are adding an incentive this year for people to register their location on the official yard sale map that will be available online weeks before the event.

The map also will be distributed to hotels, restaurants, shops, gas stations and visitor centers in the area.

“Those who register in Lewis County will receive a small gift to give to the first 25 customers who come to their yard sale in Lewis County,” Richards said. “The registration fee is $10, and all the money is used to promote the event, along with other tourism funding the CVB receives.”

The event has become a favorite summer event, with visitors traveling from all over the country, including Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and Florida, as well as from throughout West Virginia, she said.

“We try to get involved in anything that brings people to the county. Tourism creates an economic impact that benefits everyone in the county, which is what the CVB is all about,” Richards said.

She is hopeful for more registered participation this year, which has ranged from 15 to 40 in the past, just in Lewis County alone.

Lewis County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sherry Rogers said the two-day event is like a treasure hunt.

“The fact that Upshur County teams with Lewis County is an added bonus. There are many people who collect antiques and they can happen onto them in the yard sales. Shopping and antiquing is a large part of the tourism industry,” Rogers said. “Our two museums, the glass museum and the military museum, utilize that opportunity as a fundraiser.”

The Lewis County CVB is excellent at tracking visitors throughout the year for special events such as this, Rogers said in response to the estimated number of people who attend.

Upshur CVB Director Laura Meadows said it is a big economic boost to the entire area.

“When I talk to hotel managers and operators, they say they see a big uptick in overnight stays, as well as restaurant business. They say it is one of their busiest weekends of the entire year,” Meadows said. “We get people traveling from surrounding states. It’s also a regional thing and neighboring counties come to make a day of it.”

She believes the partnership with Lewis County is beneficial for both areas.

“We work with surrounding areas for a better experience for everybody. We’ve partnered with Lewis County for years. It gives more of an opportunity for people to get great bargain deals during West Virginia’s largest yard sale. We hope people come to visit.”

Registration deadline is July 5 by calling Lewis CVB at (304) 269-7228, stopping by the office located at 499 U.S. Highway 33 East, Weston, in the back of the Appalachian Glass Building or emailing [email protected]. They can also download a form from the website, [email protected]. More information is also available on their Facebook page.

Upshur County residents can email the Upshur CVB at [email protected] or call (304) 473-1400. West Virginia’s Largest Yard Sale information is also available on the website VisitUpshur.org.

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