Spring is a great time to clean out the house and finally, get rid of all that old and unnecessary junk that’s been cluttering up the attic and garage for years.
But as the old saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, so why not try to earn a few bucks before donating it to charity or leaving it by the curb.
The Oxford Township Parks and Recreation Department is doing just that by once again hosting its ‘Clean Sweep Community Garage Sale? from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday, May 19 at Seymour Lake Park.
Last year, more than 1,500 people came to shop, searching for everything from useful household items and toys to clothing and hard-to-find items.
‘People were so glad we did it,? said Becky Paquin, the parks employee who’s coordinating the sale. ‘That’s why we did it again.?
‘Somebody asked us to do it two or three times a year ? make it like a flea market. We said no. Just once a year. That’s it,? she added.
Approximately 60 sellers have already registered to hock their wares this year. Preregistration is required.
‘We’re hoping to get a lot more,? Paquin said. ‘People usually wait until the very last minute to sign up because they want to see what the weather forecast says.?
The park has up to 10 acres available for folks to set up their 12-foot-by-12-foot sales areas. The cost for each sales space is $10 for residents and $15 for nonresidents.
Parks and Rec. will use this money to help offset the cost of the two fireworks displays planned for the Seymour Celebration in July. Last year, the community garage sale raised approximately $500 for the popular summer event.
According to Paquin, there’s two very good reasons people should conduct their garage sale at the park as opposed to their home or backyard.
The first is ‘convenience.?
Folks can set up, try to sell their stuff and whatever’s left over can be immedi ately donated to charity for an income tax deduction.
At about 2:30 p.m., a large Goodwill truck will arrive at the park to collect any and all unwanted items.
‘We had people lined up at the back of the semi (truck) last year,? Paquin noted. ‘People were giving things to Goodwill and they were writing receipts right there on spot.?
The other advantage is location.
Seymour Lake Park already has a built-in group of potential shoppers.
Paquin said on that day alone, the park will be visited by 15 to 20 youth soccer teams, plus 300 youngsters participating in the parks department’s ‘Kiddie Kickers? program. Each of those kids will have parents and grandparents with them.
On top of that, the park will have lots of folks playing baseball, softball and disc golf. ‘The exposure in the park is just amazing,? Paquin said.
To register as a seller, please call (248) 628-1720, visit www.oxparkrec.org or stop by the parks/rec. office at 20 W. Burdick St. in Oxford Village.
‘The only way this event will be cancelled is if there is severe weather,? Paquin noted.