It’s the ‘granddaddy’ of community yard sales, and it will be opening bright and early Thursday morning with bargains, treasures and discoveries.

For over 20 years the United Methodist Men in Dexter have “the” yard sale. The yard sale has through the years evolved to a three-day bargain extravaganza that spills out of Wesley Hall and takes over a large portion of the churchyard and parking lot.

Bargains range from the tables and tables of clothing, to books, household items, and even toys inside First United Methodist Church’s Wesley Hall. Outside there are couches, baby beds, lawn mowers and birdhouses outside and more.

The United Methodist Men are very quick to make it “abundantly clear” the group could not have a successful yard sale without the hard work and dedication of the women, and without the support of the church family.

Every day this week men and women have been on hand inside and out, sorting through donations, folding clothes, tagging and moving items for the sale.

“It all started from one little storage building and was held on the north side of the parking lot,” recalled Loretta Reid. “The yard sale has since paid for two church vans and their upkeep as well as other projects in the community.”

Reid said it might be a men’s project, but they get plenty of help along the way.

“Of course, the Methodist women keep them going,” she said.

Chairman this year is Charlie Rimel and his wife, Judy.

Larry Matthews first developed the yard sale project with assistance from his wife, Peggy. Following the Matthews as head of the sale were Larry and Loretta Reid, and Jerry and the late Betty Overfelt.

The First United Methodist Church is located at 501 South Walnut in Dexter.

Photos Above: Top Photo - Jerry Overfelt tags merchandise outside at the United Methodist Men's Yard Sale. (SMT Photo by Annabeth Miller)