Preparations are under way in many homes, organizations and businesses across U.S. Highway 12 for Michigan’s longest garage sale that will take place on Aug. 12 through Aug. 14.

U.S. 12, the nation’s second oldest highway, stretches along an old Native American trail from Detroit to New Buffalo on the state’s southwest coast. It is one of 16 Michigan Heritage Routes, designated by the State Legislature to preserve the state’s historic highways. Since the sale started in 2003, it has taken place during the second weekend of every August.

Many nonprofit organizations are collecting donations for the sale because it is one of the biggest fundraising events of the year.  Other organizations are renting space out for people who want to sell but don’t have a place to showcase their items.

The Saline Historical Society is hosting one of those group sales. Agnes Dikeman, secretary of the society, reflects on the sale last year.

“When I arrived last year to open up the barn for the sale, there were people there waiting for me at a quarter to eight in the morning,” she said. “It just amazed me how much interest there was in this statewide sale. It was like a big celebration going from one sale to another.”

Dikeman said the strong turnout prompted the society to participate in the sale again this year with donated antique items, and to host vendors again, too. The society is offering 25 spots in the barn for vendors at Rentschler Farm, one of the society’s museum sites. Vendors pay $35.  There are several other organizations and businesses that are offering vendor space along U.S. 12 for the sale and they are listed on the U.S. 12 Heritage Trail website.

Anyone who is interested in hosting a sale is encouraged to register on the U.S. 12 Heritage Trail website www.us12heritagetrail.org by Aug. 9 so it will be included on the interactive online map and a downloadable list of sales. There is no cost to register a sale on the map.

Michigan’s Longest Garage Sale continues to grow in popularity with people in Michigan and the surrounding states.

“This sale has become a destination with people from around the Midwest. Every year there are more and more information requests about lodging because people are making a weekend out of the sale event,” said Kim Gallagher Project Manager of the U.S. 12 Heritage Trail Project. “Everyone involved in this sale is helping to create a unique travel experience for people interested in history, bargains, scenery and making connections with real people who live in the towns that dot Michigan’s U.S. 12 Heritage  Trail.”

Visitors and people who are hosting sales are encouraged to upload stories to the US 12 Heritage Trail website about their experiences. Last year people posted these comments about the sale:

“My husband, my girlfriend and her husband set up two booths in Three Oaks at the elementary school. We had about 250 to 300 people come through on Friday…it was so much fun to talk with people and exchange stories. We both sold a lot. There were also four or five other booths near us. There were buyers from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, etc. They all seemed to be having a great time.”

“These sales are giving people the opportunity in the tough times we’re facing right now. It’s a chance to come out and pick-up those items that people can use. This is my fourth year participating in the U.S. 12 Garage Sale. Although I could turn a profit with my sales, I donate my earning to homeless veterans in Niles”.

“It was fantastic.  We are already planning our trip next year.  We do several sales like this. One being the 127 a weekend earlier. This sale was better than that even. The prices were perfect. There were so many sales we could not stop at all of them. Great job guys!!!”