Bargain Hunters and Treasure Seekers! If you love shopping and searching for hidden treasures, this journey is for you!
The US 12 Heritage Trail Garage Sale is called, “Michigan’s Longest Garage Sale!” Every year individuals clean out their attics and stake out their front yards along the US-12 corridor stretching over 180 miles from New Buffalo to Detroit. You will find everything from antiques, collectibles, furniture, dishware, fresh garden produce, homemade jams and jellies, live entertainment and much more. The sales can be found along the highway at homes, farms, businesses, parking lots and fields. Some areas will have large numbers of vendors while others may be scattered. Perhaps even more interesting than the “treasures” are the people you will meet along the way. As you drive the country roads on your quest, you will be privy to incredible stories related to the individuals and the items they sell and see a plethora of items that only your grandmother could love. Most importantly most come to see the unusual and socialize. It is Americana at its best.
Preparations are underway in many homes, organizations and businesses across US 12 for Michigan’s Longest Garage Sale that will take place on August 9, 10, & 11 2019 (Friday–Sunday). US-12, the nation’s second oldest highway, it is an old Native American trail from Detroit to New Buffalo on the state’s southwest coast. It is one of 16 Michigan State Scenic Byways, 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.
Anyone who is interested in hosting a garage sale is encouraged to register his or her sale for free on the new US 12 Heritage Trail website www.us12heritagetrail.org by August 6th. If you register, your sale online it will be a part of the list of sales will be included in the interactive online map and a page listing all the sales, which can be viewed and printed prior to the sale. Items of all shapes and sized items that are sold along the route. There is no cost to register your sale on the map so register today!
Need a place to set up? There are also rentable locations available throughout the US 12 Corridor Sale route. Visit the website to contact folks who offer spaces for rent. Another way to find a spot is to keep an eye out for signs advertising vendor spaces while you are driving along the route. If you want to list your location as a space to rent a garage sale, then register your sale on the website for free today!
Michigan’s Longest Garage Sale continues to grow in popularity with people in Michigan and the surrounding states. Visitors and people who are hosting sales are encouraged to upload stories to the US 12 Heritage Trail website about their experiences.
There are several big events that are taking place along US 12 such as the Saline Summerfest features the traditional family-oriented food, music, and fun of Saline’s annual “Picnic in the Park.” This event will take place August 9-10, 2019 visit www.salinesummerfest.org to learn more about their juried craft and art show, a trolley tour of Saline’s most intriguing historical sights, street machines, and other special treats. There is also the 34th Annual New Buffalo Ship & Shore Festival August 9-11, 2019. Check out the US 12 events page for more information! There are also several community wide garage sales that will take place in communities along US 12 that same weekend.
We would like to remind everyone to please drive safely and to slow down while traveling US-12. Please pay special attention to pedestrians while driving, when parking, exiting your vehicle, and visiting the sales during the weekend. For more information about Michigan’s Longest Garage Sale and other attractions visit the US 12 Heritage Trail website at www.us12heritagetrail.org and like us on Facebook @ US 12 Heritage Trail.
