Dowagiac American Legion Post 563 is opening its doors to people living out of town, who would like to participate in the upcoming Community-wide Garage Sale Weekend, May 16 and 17.

Sponsored by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Authority (DDA), the weekend selling frenzy that is now in its sixth year, in 2013 featured more than 70 residential sales. Vickie Phillipson, Chamber of Commerce & DDA director, said more than 40 residents have already signed up for this year’s event.

New this year, for people living outside the city limits or within one of Dowagiac’s apartment communities, the American Legion is inviting them to bring their garage sale items into town and set up their sale in the parking lot on Orchard Street.

Ernie Kurdys of the American Legion said his organization is a participating site of the weekend promotion.

“Our members will be setting up booths within the American Legion,” Kurdys said.  “As a fund raiser for the post, we’re inviting people who live outside the city limits, who may want to also participate in the sale, to set up their merchandise within our parking lot.”

Outdoor booth space at the American Legion is $10 per booth. Kurdys said the American Legion will donate $2 from each booth rental to the Chamber of Commerce to help the organization pay for classified advertising. He said the remainder of the booth fee will help the American Legion re-activate the post following the death of the late Lawrence Starrett, who had served as commander for 30 years.

People wanting to register for booth space within the Orchard Street parking lot can call Kurdys at 782-4019.

Residents wishing to hold their sale at their homes should contact the Chamber of Commerce to be included in the Buyers’ Guide. Registration remains open through the end of April by calling the Chamber at 782-8212 or stopping by its office, located within the historic train depot, to pick up a registration form.

Phillipson said participating homeowners pay $8 to be included in the Buyer’s Guide & Map, which organizers will distribute to the public through select downtown locations. Phillipson said monies earned from the participation fees are earmarked for advertising in the classified sections of 10 publications, including Leader’s six publications, The South Bend Tribune, Herald Palladium and Paw Paw Flashes shoppers’ guide.

She said the City of Dowagiac agreed to waive the garage sale permit for that weekend, thereby allowing the Chamber to register participants for the community-wide event. The city-issued permit remains in effect for those families that do not register with the Chamber and DDA.

In addition to receiving a city map that identifies the locations of the residential garage sales, the Buyer’s Guide also contains a general list of merchandise each sale plans to feature, as well as those locations that will be holding estate sales. The locations of the individual garage sales will be grouped together in four sections, representing quadrants of the City. Sales within Sister Lakes and those toward Cassopolis will also be grouped in categories.

“For the day visitor who may be unfamiliar with the community, we wanted to make it as easy as possible for them to navigate from one residential garage sale to another,” Phillipson said.  “As such, we are providing them with two means to do so.”

Because the event will be held rain or shine, participating homeowners should have a back-up plan for overhead cover to ensure their merchandise and customers remain dry.

Participating sites that have already registered for the promotion are well stocked in apparel for adults and children, household goods, kitchen and glassware, and bedding and bath.  Some locations plan to feature estate items, antiques and collectibles.

To register your garage sale for the event or to serve as a distribution location for the Buyer’s Guides, call the Chamber of Commerce and DDA at 269-782-8212.