It’s all systems go, according to Trash and Treasure organizer Louise Sproule, who says that a two-year pandemic break from Vankleek Hill’s town-wide yard sale has people eager to enjoy a fun day shopping for secondhand bargains on Saturday, June 4.
Champlain Township waives the requirement for residents to obtain a yard sale permit for this day, Sproule explains. That said, town residents are encouraged to invite their friends and family to set up shop and sell items at the event, which Sproule organizes on behalf of the Vankleek Hill Business and Merchant Association (BMA).
“This is one of those times where ‘the more, the merrier’ applies. If you have space in your driveway or front yard in Vankleek Hill, invite a friend to come and hold a yard sale at your property”, she says.
The popular event attracts thousands of people and always takes place on the first Saturday in June. Sproule secures permission from business owners along Main Street to use their parking lots, or frontage to host vendors from out of town for the day. In exchange for their 10 x 10 spots, out-of-town vendors pay $25 per spot but must bring their own tables. Interested out-of-town vendors can contact The Review at 613-678-3327 to book a Main Street spot.
Sproule attributes the success of the event to how easy it is for local residents to hold a garage sale on this day.
“People can sell whatever they have in their own yards and even if they don’t have a lot to sell, the BMA has advertised the event to attract thousands of people to town. It’s quite different if you host a yard sale on your own. All of the advertising is up to you and you won’t have the draw that this event has,” says Sproule.
“The BMA pays for advertising for this event and we organize portapotties for the day. The event does have costs associated with it. So we really appreciate donations from anyone who has had a successful day and we appreciate that vendors who book space in the parking lots we have secured from local businesses pay us a small fee for their sales spot,” explains Sproule, who adds that the advertising support, flyers distributed door to door in Vankleek Hill ahead of the date, and telephone support for inquiries and advance payment for out-of-town vendors are all donated by The Review (Sproule is the publisher of The Review).
She reminds out-of-town vendors that they should call 1-877-678-3327 to reserve and pre-pay for their $25 spaces along Main Street.
“We have had a few instances in the past where folks just arrive Saturday morning and unload their stuff in front of someone’s business, but it doesn’t quite work that way,” she explains.
“We encourage businesses to join in the fun, by hosting a not-for-profit group holding a garage sale, or by holding a sidewalk sale. It’s a great way to connect with people and tell them about your business or invite them in to shop. It’s all about rolling out the red carpet and showing people what a welcoming community this is.”
The Vankleek Hill Music Festival is hosting a musical sale inside at The Review offices at 76 Main Street East. Donations have been pouring in to The Review offices and the sale will offer up all things musical: vintage audio, CDs, vinyl LPs, music books, sheet music and more. All sale proceeds will be used for the not-for-profit organization which offers bursaries to students in need and organizes concerts and master workshops.
In front of The Review, a crafty vendor will be selling quilted bags, raising funds for the Red Cross to assist people in the Ukraine.
Just down the street at 105 Main Street, Grace Clermont will be hosting a vintage jewellery sale to raise funds for new mammography technology at the Hawkesbury and District General Hospital. If you have jewellery items you would like to donate, please bring items to The Review or to Vankleek Cottage at 105 Main Street. Empty jewellery boxes are welcome to assist Clermont to organize items for the sale.
There will also be a fundraising yard sale at 156 Main Street East (at the Vankleek Hill Baptist Church), where volunteers are raising funds to assist a Ukrainian family which will be moving to Vankleek Hill, tentatively in June. Donations of items are welcome to help furnish the house. To donate or for more information, call Jean: 613-678-3432 or Leola: 613-675-2996.
If you have questions or need information, you can email Sproule directly here: [email protected].
Note that the event takes place rain or shine. The Eastern Ontario Health Unit has confirmed that the event can proceed, while advising that anyone who is feeling ill should stay home and that as much as possible, people should maintain a safe distance from others.
