This year’s 301 Endless Yard Sale is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, June 16 and Saturday, June 17, in Johnston, Halifax, Wilson, Nash and Harnett counties.
Along the 100-mile-plus stretch of U.S. Highway 301, vendors and home yard sales offer antiques, collectibles, DIY furniture, crafts and more.
“The five visitor bureaus work together to promote the event, map out vendor locations and keep an open line of communication between local stores, restaurants, residents and county officials,” said Ashby Brame, vice president of marketing and communications for the Johnston County Visitors Bureau.
“But we’re just the middleman for the sale,” she continued. “Really, we could probably step out of the way and everyone would still show up. People are very enthusiastic about this event.”
Going strong for more than 10 years now, the roadside swap meet attracts more than 5,000 shoppers and more than 500 vendors every year. People often stay overnight in the area to take advantage of the full two-day yard sale.
Vendor locations in the five counties are posted online at 301EndlessYard.com. The website includes FAQs for vendors and shoppers along with safety information about driving and parking.
Another source of information for shoppers is the 301 Endless Yard Sale’s Facebook page, which has more than 25,000 followers. The page has become a planning tool where shoppers share photos, information on vendors and details on the sale with friends and family.
“This is a successful, long-running event promoting the beauty of North Carolina’s backroads and the friendliness of our residents,” said Tommy Abdalla, a Johnston County resident and hobbyist antique collector.
Abdalla organizes the vendor location at South Johnston High School.
“We’re aiming to make this year the biggest yet,” he said. “I’m hoping to host up to 100 vendors at my location, and I’m really close to my goal.”