Source: The Rogersville Review

TENNESSEE VALLEY — Treasure hunters get ready to shop.

A 502-mile roadside sale complete with celebrations along the way is planned for May 17 through May 20 on U.S. Highway 11 from Bristol, Virginia to Meridian, Mississippi.

Known as the “U.S. 11 Antique Alley,” this event will also wind its way through Birmingham, Alabama, Dade County, Georgia, Chattanooga, and Knoxville with events to commemorate the sale in each county of the US 11 corridor.

Each location has planned its own events, either as festivals, antique sales, flea markets and yard sales, or carnivals, along with many other activities.

Locally, sales are also planned in Kingsport, Mount Carmel, Church Hill, Surgoinsville, Rogersville, Mooresburg, and Bulls Gap.

According to organizers, the event is an opportunity for families or individuals to take a day, get off the interstate highways and enjoy the old roads.

U.S. Highway 11 is an “antique” itself with a long and varied history which runs from the southernmost tip of Louisiana to New York state.

“Antique Alley” was an idea created by tourism and chamber of commerce directors along the corridor. A decade ago, the Antique Alley Association was formed from this venture and the long weekend was initially planned to bring some 10,000 visitors to the Valley. However, to date, it has brought more than 30,000 visitors through the participating counties in three days, reports claim.

With 252 additional miles of yard sales added in 2002, Antique Alley now lasts four days.

Antique dealers, flea market vendors, and yard sale enthusiasts are expected to line the route while visitors from across the nation are expected to drop in to barter and haggle.

For additional information on local planning, call Carol Hensely at (423) 323-1699 or Patty Osborne at 272-6333.

Visit www.us11antiquealley.com for full details of the event.