Bargain hunters and collectors of rare — or not-so rare — items, were in seventh heaven March 16-17 for the 24th Annual Morro Bay Citywide Yard Sale.
With more than 100 garage sales spread from one end of town to the other all occurring at the same time, it was a wonderful bit of chaos with traffic, walkers, cyclists and lots of folks just out for a bit of fun on a beautiful St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
And the variety of sales from tiny ones with just a few items put out, to massive, almost parking lot sized sales of some folks, who have clearly made re-selling a business. Items, especially clothing, were laid out on blankets or hung from store racks, spread across fold-up tables and sorted by type and price.
Some hunters — like this reporter and wife Lorraine — wisely make out a wish list of things they need, much as one goes to Spencer’s Market with a shopping list. It helps focus one’s attention as you cruise the streets, eyeballing the sales.
This year I was primarily looking for a jigsaw and not much else. We of course came home with a car full of things, after Lorraine went through her list, plus the things, like an old rocking chair in need of repair, we just had to have.
The event is sponsored by Visit Morro Bay, the town tourism bureau, and draws thousands of bargain hunters every year.
Morro Bay Beautiful originally started the Citywide Yard Sale, with help from the Chamber of Commerce and the City.
It was a hit from the beginning and has continued to grow in popularity every year. Next year will mark the 25th annual sale.
The sale corresponds with the garbage company’s spring cleanup week, when Morro Bay customers can put out extra garbage bags for pickup on their regularly scheduled days. And the garbage company will also schedule to pick up big items like furniture for an additional fee.
It was started with the idea of having some fun and helping people relieve themselves of unused items, for as they say, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.
In the photos are some of the sales and items on display for sale from Saturday’s event (we didn’t visit even half of the sales listed on the official maps).
