Thousands Expected Once again in Bridgeport as City Announces Date for Annual Community Yard Sale
By Jeff Toquinto on May 25, 2019
The first day of fall sports isn’t the only big day that’s anticipated in August. In fact, there’s a sound argument there’s going to be a bigger day this August that will draw the interest of people in Bridgeport and well beyond.
For the fourth year in a row, the City of Bridgeport will be playing host to its annual City-Wide Yard Sale. Community Development Director Andrea Kerr has announced the event will take place on Saturday, August 3.
The official time of the event will be from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
“That’s the time the city will recognize as the official yard sale,” said Kerr. “We know from the past three years is that most people will set up on Friday and Saturday and most will have their own hours; some starting earlier or later and some finishing up earlier or later.”
The event actually began at the suggestion of Kerr and was given the blessing of City Manager Kim Haws. Kerr said she wasn’t quite sure to expect but is amazed at how large of a crowd it draws to the city every year.
“I had no idea it was going to be this big,” said Kerr. “I actually had people calling me in January asking when it was, and I laughed thinking I need to get through winter before I start thinking about yard sales.
“But it’s time to get the word out so those selling can get ready and those planning on coming can save the date,” Kerr said. “I knew for sure it was time when I had my own yard sale this past weekend and it seemed like every other person was asking when we were going to have the yard sale.”
The yard sale draws crowds in the four digits. Kerr said there’s easily more than 1,000 people hitting up between 125 and 150 registered homes for the yard sale.
“We have a large number of people that register, and we know there are a lot more people taking part that don’t register,” said Kerr. “We want as many people to register as possible.”
Registering for the event is a simple process. Kerr said all you have to do is submit the address of your home to her by way of email to akerr@bridgeportwv.com. There is a benefit to registering.
“We’ll once again be printing out a map that will show where everyone who has registered will be having their yard sale. Those maps will be placed for pickup at the Benedum Civic Center, the 
Bridgeport City Building and the Bridgeport Public Library,” said Kerr. “We’ll also have a finalized list on the City of Bridgeport’s Web site and links to it on our Facebook Page as well as on Connect-Bridgeport’s Web site.”
Bridgeport City Building and the Bridgeport Public Library,” said Kerr. “We’ll also have a finalized list on the City of Bridgeport’s Web site and links to it on our Facebook Page as well as on Connect-Bridgeport’s Web site.”
The map will once again include a listing of local businesses for individuals to utilize to get a bite to eat. She said many make an entire day of the yard sale and the list provides a chance for those individuals to conveniently take advantage of nearby food offerings and other services.
Kerr is asking those to come into the city to please be courteous of private property. She said even with a heightened police presence, the day does produce a few headaches.
“The police are on high alert because of the sheer number of people coming into the city,” said Kerr. “We ask that people try to be courteous and respect other’s property by not blocking driveways, parking on sidewalks or on someone’s grass. We want to make it fun for everyone and keep the headaches to a minimum.”
When maps are available and when the list goes on-line, Connect-Bridgeport will let the public know.
Editor's Note: Photos shows some of the sales, some of the signs and some of the traffic from the 2018 city yard sale event. Photos by www.benqueenphotography.com.
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