Fairgrounds participating in U.S. 127 sale

Van Wert independent/contributor information

The Van Wert Fairgrounds will again be hosting the Buy-Way Sale this August. The dates are August 3-6.

The sale to start will be at 9 a.m. each day and run until 6 p.m. or later. Set-up will be on Tuesday, August 2, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. There are still spaces available both inside and outside.

This is the 24th year for the “World’s Longest Yard Sale” and it will be the seventh year for the Van Wert Fairgrounds to participate in the sale.

Local participation at the fairgrounds began with just four people in the big Commercial Building, but the event has grown bigger and better each year since then. Last year, the sale filled not only the Commercial Building, but the EMR and Auxiliary Room as well. This year, there is a possibility of adding more buildings to the sale, while there are also plans to have food vendors at the fairgrounds sale site.

This year’s event will also feature pony and barrel train rides for the kids, with more kids’ events and activities being considered.

And don’t forget that the Lincoln Buy-Way Sale, which will also be held that weekend. Van Wert is the only place in the country where the two highways cross.

Food vendors include First United Brethren Church, which will be having its popcorn people there, along with some caramels. Other food vendors include “Don the Potato Man” with his baked potatoes; the Pretzel Lady, who was also at last year’s Van Wert County Fair; and Gibson BBQ, which will serve pulled pork, pulled chicken and rib and chicken dinners. Gibson BBQ is also participating in the Van Wert Rib Cook-Off, which is held at the fairgrounds that weekend. TK Mobil Foods will also serving deep fried curds and vegetables.

Sale space size and price is as follows: 10×10 feet, $20 (can be located inside or outside). Tables can be rented for an additional $5 each, while chairs are $1 each and electricity is $10 per booth. Camping is $13 per night.

An information booth is being added this year to provide bargain hunters with information on activities at the fairgrounds and the surrounding area. Those participating can also purchase commemorative baskets for the fair and a Veterans Day basket to support Veterans Day at the fair. There will also be forms for fair patrons with a sign from last year showing how donors’ names will be displayed.

One seller is coming all the way from Texas, noting that he travels the circuit for garage/craft sales and hasn’t found a better place to be for the 127 sale.