By Jennifer Adkins, Staff Writer

The U.S. 11 Antique Alley Yard Sale is back for its 11th year, starting Thursday, spreading across five states, 23 counties and 77 small towns.

The 502-mile yard sale stretches from Meridian, Miss., through Chattanooga, and ends in Bristol, Va. It is the longest yard sale in the nation, according to Bill Marshall, one of the Dade County creators of the four-day event.

“It is a combination of yard sales, antique stores and even flea markets,” Marshall said. “U.S. 11 is an antique itself. It’s a really old, old highway, and people love driving through the valley.”

According to Marshall, the sale is a way to improve the economy by what he calls “trickle-up economics.” It is a way to promote tourism in all the small towns and make some money, Marshall said.

“People realize they have stuff they don’t need anymore and come and set it up on U.S. 11. Then they have money they didn’t before and spend it downtown. That’s why it is trickle-up economics.”

Marshall said he discourages people from setting up a single card table in the front yard because people will not stop for it. He said it is better to group with neighbors.

Vendors can advertise their location and phone number on the sale’s Web site at www.us11antiquealley.com or by calling (877) 871-1386. The U.S. 11 Antique Alley Yard Sale is the only Web-driven yard sale, according to Marshall. The idea of the Web site was to be a traveler’s resource to find lodging, stores and food along the highway.

“Now that’s country for you. People like it because it is meeting people on the back roads,” Marshall said.

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