National Road Yard Sale set

A clock set in the front yard of Patricia McDaniel's antique store in Dublin, Ind., is counting down to the historic fourth Annual Historic National Road Yard Sale.

Set to run from dawn to dusk Wednesday, May 30 through Sunday, June 3 the event will take place along U.S. Route 40 from Baltimore, Md., to St. Louis, Mo.

This is the second year for the 824-mile jaunt. Available at yard sales along the highway are glassware, antiques, furniture, fresh garden produce plus other collectibles. This event also gives individuals an opportunity to traverse a historic byway, feel the pulse of local communities, sample regional food and simply enjoy the hunt for treasures.

The road itself is part of the National Scenic byways program, and last year marked the 200th anniversary of this particular national highway. McDaniel, chair of the sale and owner of an antique store in Dublin, operates the website. Of the sale's inception she says, "I've always enjoyed U.S. 40 and the history and its people, and I espouse committees, so it's been one of my goals to develop a yard sale that individuals are able to enjoy."

McDaniel even put together a yard sale survival kit -- perfect for newbies -- with suggestions for everything from snacks and water to toilet paper, patience, insect repellent and "a strong guy for moving furniture."

Some visitors to the area commented that there was not a lot of activity along the highway between Terre Haute and Plainfield at last year's sale. Saturday was considered to have the heaviest traffic but the day was plagued by rain showers.

A Brownsburg couple drove from Plainfield to Greencastle and claimed to only encounter a few sales along the way.

For those who want space along the historic highway but don't know where to turn, try the Plainfield Friends (Quaker) Meeting in downtown Plainfield. They are renting booth space for Saturday only.

For information about the U.S. Highway 40 event, contact coordinator Patricia McDaniel at (765) 825-6295 or visit the website at www.oldstorefrontantiques.com/yardsale.htm.

The site also lists helpful links to convention and visitors bureaus along the Indiana portion of the road, so you can plan accommodations accordingly.

The national coordinator for the U.S. 40 Yard Sale is Tom Taylor of North Vernon. Contact him at totaylor@seidata.com.