Forgotten Coast Yard Sale Draws Crowds

Jessica Ward rose early Saturday morning, grabbed a piping hot cup of coffee and headed west.

As she crossed the bridge into Apalachicola, she surveyed the landscape.

Vendors lined Market Street and Ave. E, peddling a variety of wares.  There were ornamental Christmas trees, antique chairs and tables, even bracelets with bugs floating in clear acrylic.

“One person’s trash is my treasure,” said Ward as she eyed a metal rooster.

Ward, an Eastpoint resident, was one of many locals who ventured out on Saturday morning looking for treasures in the Forgotten Coast Community Yard Sale.

The sale included communities along U.S. 98 and the Big Bend Scenic Byway – Apalachicola, Carrabelle, Panacea, St. George Island, Port St. Joe and Mexico Beach.

Shop owners along the route took advantage of the increased foot traffic by hosting sidewalk sales, and many residents posted signs along the highway directing visitors to their homes.

An early morning rain shower in Port St. Joe made business less bustling than Apalachicola, though many visited the downtown SaltAir Farmer’s market.

Andrea Heard, a volunteer with the St. Joseph Bay Humane Society, collected donations and encouraged visitors to adopt pets.

Traffic slowed along the back roads of Mexico Beach, where residents peddled items such as fitness equipment, DVDs and children’s clothes.

Ward, who followed the yard sales all the way to Mexico Beach, returned home empty handed, and with one regret.

She wished she’d bought those In Living Color DVDs when she had the chance.