By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

Bargain hunters on full alert: The annual 100-Mile Yard Sale is ready to begin!!

The Memorial Weekend tradition stretches from Jackson in the north, and follows Highway 25 through Delta, Advance, Bloomfield, and Dexter and continues south through Bernie, Malden, and Holcomb and finally ends in Kennett.

Along the way shoppers will find card tables set up in yards, tents full of “stuff” along the side of roads, and groups of folks selling everything from family treasures to treasured junk.

Chambers of Commerce directors along the sale route say those driving the 100-mile route will often find vendors at church parking lots, grouped together and that many often have their yard sales off the highway in communities along the way.

In Dexter the Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring space for yard sale vendors at the Stoddard County Fairgrounds, just east of Highway 25. Restrooms, concessions, inside and outside booth space, with plenty of parking are all available through the Chamber.

According to the Dexter Chamber, vendors can rent a space at the Fairgrounds for just $20 a day; all three days of the sale is just $50. Persons interested should contact the Dexter Chamber at 573.624.7458.

Use Caution Along 25

The 100-Mile Yard Sale can be a fun time for those hunt for treasures and collectables, but drivers should all remember that the greatest savings of the event could be a life.

"It's a fun weekend that people look forward to each year," says Traffic Engineer Craig Compas, "but we want people to remember that there's more traffic and more congestion along Route 25 this weekend than any other and drivers need to keep that in mind."

MoDOT will do its part to bring the safety message to the forefront. Message boards will be in place along the route to alert drivers of the unusual traffic patterns and promote safe driving.

"We really want drivers to be alert-to be aware of their surroundings, to be aware of sudden stops and to look for pedestrian traffic," Compas says. "It's a big event locally, and we want everyone to enjoy themselves and be as safe as possible."

For more information, contact Compas at (573) 472-5310 or call MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636).

The sale begins in earnest on Friday, with folks checking out the bargains throughout the holiday weekend. It’s highly recommended that buyers bring cash, since many “yard sale merchants” will not accept personal checks or credit and debit cards.

Photo Above: A MoDOT urging roadway safety along Highway 25 south of Dexter is visible for all the 100-Mile Yard Sale and others on the busy highway.