Rummage sale draws thousands

Published 10:00 am Wednesday, August 16, 2006

HANSVILLE — Bargain hunters showing up at the Hansville Community Center Saturday were strapped with backpacks, hefting boxes and carrying bags. They stretched and warmed up like seasoned athletes before taking a shot at what is arguably the greatest challenge of the garage sale season: the Greater Hansville Area Rummage Sale. Family members stood by furniture, ready to snag highly desired pieces. Others elbowed each other as they tried to get as close to the entrances as possible, preparing to dash for the best deals.

“This is my second year,” said sale volunteer Chris McClellan, adding that the excitement in the air just before the opening of the sale was almost tangible.

The 9 a.m. sale brought diehard deal seekers as early as 8:15 a.m. Shoppers called to friends and joked with each other, laughing as they craned their necks trying to see as many items in advance as possible.

“I grew up with this sale,” said Hansville resident Ryan Morton, pressing against the yellow caution tape and readying herself for the big 9 a.m. charge. “I’m here with my family today. It’s going to be a blast.”

“We come up from California every year just for this sale,” said Morton’s grandmother Carol Pickard.

Morton added that every year, the morning before they go to HCC to find second hand treasures, she and her family draw the names of a few family members. They are then in charge of finding something special — for less than $5 — for that individual.

“Then, we go home tonight and have Christmas,” Morton said with a laugh, adding that it’s a great family tradition.

At the sale, $5 will buy quite a bit. Bainbridge Island resident Mark Vreling was searching through records, looking for albums he didn’t yet own, each selling for less than $1.

“I collect ‘60s albums and old cameras,” Vreling said. “The record selection here is really good.”

“Everything went,” said rummage sale personnel chairwoman Debra Bean, speaking of the huge amount of items sold. “We have just a few boxes left.”

She estimated that about 1,500 people showed up at some point or another during Saturday or Sunday to check out the goods, and that the event did just as well as it did last year, when it brought in over $30,000.

“There was really nothing of value left after the sale,” Bean said.

The sale is the biggest fund raiser members of the Hansville Community Center hold all year, supporting everything from the HCC organization itself to scholarships and community events.

“It’s a great effort,” McClellan said.

“It is terrific,” agreed Hansville resident Judy Foritano.

“It was so organized this year,” Bean said. “We got such a positive response. Everyone had a great time.”

Though not everyone left with what they wanted, nearly everyone found something they needed or liked with little effort.

“I’m just looking for something fun,” Morton said as she prepared to dash through the caution tape by grabbing Pickard’s hand. “It’s never hard to find something like that here every year.”