In 1987, Mike Walker—a county executive from Jamestown, Tennessee—organized the first ever 127 Yard Sale, designed to bring tourists through rural areas of the country and expose people to the charming communities along Route 127.

The “World’s Largest Yard Sale,” as it’s come to be known, runs from Addison, Michigan, to Gadsden, Alabama, passing through portions of Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama, on its 690-mile journey. It takes place the first weekend in August, which, for the 2018 year, is Aug. 2–5.

Thousands of visitors come from all over the world for the event, now in its third decade. And there’s far more than just knick-knacks and old bicycles to peruse along the way.

On the route

In addition to the more than 2,000 vendors selling everything from antiques to farming equipment (each stop is required to have at least 25 different vendors) visitors can experience some of the cultural and natural wonders of the 127 Yard Sale states.

A trip through the route’s Michigan portion brings you past a number of interesting spots, like Sky Dive Tecumseh—the number one skydiving establishment in the state—and the 18-hole championship golf course, DeMor Hills.

In Ohio, yard-sale-attendees can make a stop at the state’s largest living history attraction, Historic Sauder Village, or pay homage to the Cincinnati Reds at the team’s official hall of fame museum.

Fans of horse racing may want to pay a visit to Kentucky Horse Park—home to championship horses, a museum, theater, and more. And in Tennessee, a number of waterfalls and other outdoor adventures await.

You can end your journey in Georgia with a trip to Rock City’s famously beautiful geologic formations, or continue through to the last stop in Alabama, Noccalula Falls Park—a 90-foot waterfall located at Lookout Mountain.

Before you go

Because of the scale of the event, it’s always wise for “yardsalers” to plan a route, and even browse online for select items, before embarking on the 690-mile trek.

The 127 Yard Sale website includes database of vendors and their items for sale, which you can search through by category, by keywords, and by state. There’s also a list of hotels, RV campgrounds, and other forms of lodging throughout the route to make accommodations for visitors planning a multi-day trip.

If you want a taste of true Americana this summer, and a look at some of America’s most quaint cities and attractions, the 127 Yard Sale is the perfect opportunity to bargain hunt and road trip all in one.