OROVILLE — Treasure hunters from near and far will be making the trek along Montgomery Street on Saturday as Downtown Oroville hosts its eighth annual Mile Long Yard Sale.
Residents and local nonprofits — including the Exchange Club, African American Family and Cultural Center and The Axiom — will be selling gently used wares ranging from clothes to furniture, knick-knacks to antiques and tools to trifles along the one-mile stretch from Sank Park to Downer Street from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“People come from Sacramento and Roseville and all the way from Redding for the Mile Long Yard Sale,” said Eileen Book, event coordinator. “In the past we’ve seen 1,500 to 2,000 people attend. It’s a huge event.”
During the event, flyers will be handed out to those strolling for deals. The flyers include a map of downtown and feature vintage and thrift store locations as well as the districts eateries.
“We hope that while people are here for the yard sale that they will also come see downtown, shop at our stores and eat at our restaurants,” said Heather Johnson, former Downtown Oroville board member.
In addition to the shopping and dining opportunities provided by the Mile Long Yard Sale and downtown businesses, attendees will also have the chance to visit the city’s museums located on Montgomery Street and close by downtown.
“Bolt’s Antique Tool Museum, the Chinese Temple, the Pioneer Museum and the Feather River Nature Center will all be open and the nature center will be offering free-family activities,” said Heather McCafferty, city museum cultural facilities curator. “This will be the last weekend the Lott Home at Sank Park will be open before construction starts. The docents may be dressed in period costumes that day for tours.”
Slightly off the Mile Long Yard Sale’s route at The Ehmann Home, 1480 Lincoln St. between Bird and Robinson streets downtown, the Butte County Historical Society is also hosting a yard sale. This event, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., is a fundraiser to support the historical society’s museum, archives, Ehmann Home, Bangor Church and Oregon City School.
The Mile Long Yard Sale was the brainchild of Lori Pierce — owner of several downtown businesses including Mug Shots, Kusel’s Big Store and Provisions — who was looking for a way to bring neighbors in the area together and bring more people to shop and dine in the downtown.
“One of best things about the yard sale is local people and visitors can walk Montgomery Street and see all the historic houses and architecture,” said Robin Zanon, Downtown Oroville vice president. “It’s really a charming and fun way to spend a Saturday. It also creates a sense of community. People get out, meet one another and get a chance to talk to their neighbors and local business owners.”
While residents and nonprofits prepare for the event, many downtown businesses will be hosting sidewalk sales in front of their stores on Friday. And, because it’s First Friday, stores will extend their hours until 8 p.m.