BUCKHANNON — With the town of Buckhannon serving as its heartbeat, West Virginia’s Largest Yard Sale will take place in Upshur, Lewis and Webster counties today and Saturday.

The annual event has been one of the area’s biggest summer celebrations for more than 15 years, as visitors come from near and far to hunt for bargains. Shopping will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. on both days.

“This event definitely keeps Upshur County and Lewis County very busy for the weekend,” Upshur County CVB Director Lacy Ramsey told The Inter-Mountain. “We have about 100 yard sales that are registered in Upshur County for this year’s event. And of course there is always going to be more than that actually taking place this weekend, whether it’s folks who didn’t get registered by the deadline or those who know their neighbors are registered and kind of piggy back off of them.

“I start fielding calls as early as January about this event so folks can schedule their trip in. People come from all over the United States and right now the furthest that has called and confirmed they are coming is Michigan.”

Ramsey said those visiting Buckhannon for the event should plan on traffic delays and a bit of walking.

“People should expect to not be in a hurry because it does get a little congested. It is one of our more traffic heavy weekends of the entire year,” Ramsey said. “So people need to plan accordingly and make sure they give themselves plenty of time. The majority of the yard sales are close to the downtown area, so visitors also need to expect to do some walking. And they need to prepare for the elements, an umbrella in case of rain and a hat for shade if it’s sunny out.”

Ramsey also said it’s important to remember those who live in the downtown area where all the sales take place.

“We want to stress that people be kind and considerate to the folks who live in these areas,” Ramsey said. “Don’t block driveways or bottleneck the smaller roads in ways where traffic can’t move in either direction. Just be kind and courteous to the neighborhoods.”

A digital map for all the registered yard sales is available for those planning to attend the event.

“We encourage people when they register to list their Top 5 hot ticket items they are selling,” Ramsey said. “So when people go to the interactive map they can click on each pin drop and it will tell you the directions to that location, along with some of the items they plan to have at their yard sale. 

More information and the interactive map can be found on the Upshur County Visitor Center Facebook page or at visitbuckhannon.org.