By Craig Franklin
The Jena Times
When the inaugural “Sales Along 84” occurred last fall, any skepticism on the new event’s success was quickly dissolved during the first few hours of the very first day. Hundreds of people poured into LaSalle and surrounding areas visiting yard sales and vendor locations to scoop up as much as possible on that first day.
By Saturday, many had sold out of merchandise and were already planning for the next year including having much more items to sell and getting more people involved. According to event founder Lavelle Evans of Whitehall, stories of people and vendors raking in thousands of dollars during last year’s Sales Along 84 were common to hear.
Stories were shared recently as organizers met at the LaSalle Parish Courthouse to put final plans in action for the second annual Sales Along 84, set for September 5-7. Folks all along the Hwy 84 corridor (including Winn) are invited to join in. It’s free to participate but there’s an August 2 deadline to register to be included in an online map of participating vendors…see details below.
“From all indications, this year will be much bigger,” Evans told a group of volunteer committee members. “Word about what happened last year has spread and we’re not only having more people ready to have their own sales along the route but major vendors are making plans to shop along the route as well.”
Evans explained that many of the big vendors who have resale shops in Texas and larger cities of Baton Rouge, Lafayette and West Monroe, frequent yard sale events like Sales Along 84 to purchase items to resale at their shops.
“We know for a fact that we have many already set to come with their big box trucks and box trailers and they’ll be here the first day of our event, Thursday, to get as much as possible before the other crowds arrive,” he said. “They were here last year and more are coming this year. This means that if you want to make some money – some real money – it’s time to get your stuff ready to sale and be a part of Sales Along 84.”
Last year, the event started with just LaSalle Parish and within three weeks had grown to include much of the state along US Highway 84.
“We only had five weeks to prepare for last year and it turned out great,” Jason Holland of Finders Keepers Vendor Mall in Trout said. “Well, we’ve had a whole year of planning and getting ready for this year to make it even better.”
Evans reminded residents that you don’t have to own a business to participate. “What makes this a success is the number of yard sales along the route,” he said. “We are six weeks away from the crowds coming in so now is the time for people to start getting their sales ready. Clean out those attics, garages and closets and get a spot along 84 and have a sale. The people are coming and they are ready to buy – how much money people make is up to them.”
Anything and everything can be sold. Buyers are looking for great deals on clothes, antiques, flea market items, collectibles, handmade and craft items, and more. “Not only do people have the opportunity to make extra money, but it really is a fun time,” Evans said. “You get to meet so many people from all over and everyone is nice and having a great time shopping.”
New Mapping System: One of the changes for this year’s Sales Along 84 will be a unique mapping system that will enable shoppers the ability to see where all of the sales are located on a digital map.
To register a yard sale, business or vendor location, participants need to fill out a vender registration form, which is found on the Sales Along 84 Facebook page. Fill out the form and it will allow your sale location to be included on the official map for shoppers to use while traveling US 84. The deadline to have a location listed on the official map is August 2.
Other Businesses Prosper: Along with yard sales and vendor locations, other businesses along the route also prospered during the event last year. “Our local shops in downtown Jena all reported great success last year and are looking forward to this year as well,” Evans said.
Along with food trucks, other options would be for non-profits to offer food along the route. Churches, other ministries, school clubs, etc. could offer barbeque plates, hamburgers, gumbo or just about anything different and they would most likely see success. With so many churches located along route, a visible and easily accessed location would be easy.
“This thing is growing and growing fast,” Evans concluded. “To help continue the momentum, we need more people to jump in and join us. You’ll have fun while at the same time make some serious cash. And right now, we all can use some extra cash!”
For more information, visit the Sales Along 84 Facebook page or call Evans at (318) 316-0781 or Holland at (318) 316-7090.
Sales Along 84 – Q&A
2nd Annual Event
Thursday-Saturday, September 5-7, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Q. What exactly is the Sales Along 84 event?
A. The Sales Along 84 event is a multi-state/multi-day community event. This year’s event will include participants located along U.S. Highway 84 in Louisiana and extending into Mississippi. Sales Along 84 provides an opportunity for individuals, businesses, vendors, churches and civic organizations/groups, etc. to host their own three-day Yard Sale. Because of the huge success of the Inaugural 2023 Sales Along 84 Event, we are anticipating many more participants for the 2024 event.
Q: How/where do I sign up/register to become a participant in the sale?
A: A link for the online Vendor Registration Form is located on our Facebook page.
Q: How will people know if I am participating in the event?
A1: For any Registered Vendor, their sale site location will automatically be included in the Event Map via a link that will soon be available on the Sales Along 84 Facebook page. (A printed version of the map for LaSalle Parish will be printed in The Jena Times newspaper with extra copies distributed free of charge at local businesses.)
A2: On the days of the sale, a displayed Bouquet/Cluster of Yellow Balloons is the Event’s signature signage; these yellow balloons indicate you are a “Vendor” participating in the Sale. At the site of your sale on Highway 84, strategically position the bouquet of yellow balloons so that it can readily be seen from the highway. Note: There will be many out-of-town shoppers and they will specifically be looking for these yellow balloons.
Q: What if I don’t live on Highway 84, can I still participate?
A: That’s the “beauty” of this sale! If you want to have a sale just off of Highway 84, you may want to put up a Yard Sale sign at the intersection of Hwy. 84 and your road. Make sure there is a Bouquet of Yellow Balloons attached to this sign along with your street address and/or an arrow on the sign pointing in the direction of your sale site. Also, it is recommended that you place a Bouquet of Yellow Balloons at your Sale Site so shoppers can easily locate your sale.
Note: Make sure you can legally place a sign at the intersection point! You don’t want to be placing signs on private property without approval from the property owners! We also have a list of property owners along the route that we can provide to allow you to negotiate prices to allow you to set up on their property. (We do not negotiate rental pricing.)
Q: I want to participate but I don’t think I have enough “stuff” to sell. What do you recommend?
A: Some suggestions include:
* Invite others to join you in your sale (neighbors, family, friends, church members, co-workers, etc.)
* Ask others if you can be included in their sale (neighbors, family, friends, church, co-workers, etc.)
* Make this event more than just a Yard Sale! Let it be a fun-filled, family/friend-filled, good eating type of event!! Take turns manning the tables, grilling the hamburgers, watching the kids, catching your breath, whatever is needed. This event is not just about selling. It is also about fun, fellowship and building community. Remember, the more the merrier!
Q: My “stuff” is more like “trash”; I don’t think anyone would consider buying it. Do you have any recommendations for someone in that situation?
A: Yes, Yes, and Yes!!! Consider having and promoting your yard sale as a “DIY” Yard Sale!! DIYers are always looking for bits and pieces of “trash” for their many projects. For example, some people may very much be interested in buying your broken lamp just so they can salvage the harp or the lamp shade from it. Take a good inventory of that “trash” that you’ve been meaning to throw out; there just might be something salvageable that someone else may be for one of their DIY projects! It’s all about how you market your “stuff”. YouTube offers many videos that are helpful in planning and organizing your sale so that it is successful.
Q: How can I stay up to date on information regarding the “Sales Along 84” Event?
A: “Follow” and “Like” the Sales Along 84 Facebook page; also, please share it with your FB friends.