Route 66 in the News
Route 66 May Host Roadside Garage Sale
2007-01-15 17:44:22
LINCOLN, Ill. - Lincoln resident Bruce Huskins envisions a long, long, long garage sale in Logan County's future.
Miles long.
"The World's Longest Garage Sale," Huskins said.
Well maybe not quite.
Huskins says he would start small - from Atlanta to Elkhart along Old U.S. Route 66 - and hold what he hopes will be an annual garage sale right on the shoulder of the Mother Road on Memorial Day weekends.
Huskins said Friday he plans to present his vision of a tourism-oriented garage sale to the Logan County Board Tuesday and, if time allows, the Lincoln City Council as well that night.
By then, he also hopes to have a response from state Sen. Larry Bomke, about right-of-way on the famed route. Huskins said Bomke is checking into easement regulations on state property.
"It's kind of like in the planning stage," Huskins said. "I'm trying to bring it to peoples' attention, get it started."
What Huskins envisions is an Illinois version of "The World's Longest Yard Sale" or "World's Longest Outdoor Sale" started in 1986 on Highway 127 between Covington, Ky., and Chattanooga, Tenn. -- 450 miles of sales over four days in August.
For that sale, Huskins said, "People come from other states. They just pull off at the road's edge. Traffic is slow, anyway," because of the event's popularity.
Huskins has been to the sale twice.
"Down there, there's no charge (for someone) to set up (a sale) on public property," Huskins said. "On private property, they may charge."
Huskins also said he has been encouraged by U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, who told him his staff contacted the Illinois Department of Transportation on Huskins' behalf about the idea.
Tourism director Geoff Ladd said today, he likes the idea, but wants it coordinated with another tourism event.
"We're looking at making it one of the fundraisers for Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County," Ladd said. "I think he's got a really good idea. If we can tie it in with Route 66 projects, it will be more well received. We plan on meeting with him very soon."
Paul Ayars, LincolnCourier.com
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