MV Community yard sale thrives

By LAURA ROBISON

The Progress

The annual Moapa Valley Community Yard Sale had locals and visitors searching for treasures in droves last weekend, even though the event almost didn’t happen.

The event has been a bit aimless in its organization over the past few years. No one group or organization had stepped up to sponsor it. This year, it seemed that no one was going to take the reins. So three local individuals finally stepped up to the plate.

First, Moapa Valley Town Advisory Board member Lois Hall decided to have people give her their info and she would post yard sales on social media.
“I had seen many people asking when the valley wide yard sale was going to be,” Hall said. “They either wanted to have a sale or they were looking forward to the deals. I knew people would be disappointed and saw a need. It just felt right to help my neighbors.”

As this was happening, Hall’s fellow town board member Lori Houston was seeing the same need. “This event has been a tradition in Moapa Valley for many years and I want to help out and keep it alive,” she said.

Finally, Second Saturday Market founder Cally Wade of Moapa was also seeing a need for this annual event to continue. She reminisced about how, when she was growing up, there would be sidewalk sales at all the businesses after the Veterans Day parade.
“We should be helping neighbors and building up the community, so of course I wanted to find a way to help,” she said.

The three women got to work, spreading the word that indeed, the Community Valley-wide yard sale was a go for this year. They quickly made sign-up sheets, and ads, had drop off places for the residents to pay their $15 to be included on the map, and created the map and a spreadsheet for everyone. They got all of this done within 10 days.

As a kind of icing on the cake, Moapa Valley Chamber of Commerce president Nicole Talbot agreed to sponsor the map and have it printed in last week’s edition of The Progress.
Over the weekend, eager yard-salers swarmed the 27 sites that were listed.

At the Second Saturday Market, there were 50 vendors as Cally Wade dropped the price on regular vendor spots so more people could participate.
“I love this community and we wanted to open up the market for a wider reach, and to attract more shoppers,” Wade said. “I just wanted to help make it happen.”

With Second Saturday at the Fairgrounds, there was a variety of booths. These included fresh farmers market items such as meats, vegetables, breads, jams, eggs, honey and beeswax products. In addition there were many more dream items for shoppers from clothing and jewelry, to hair bows and head bands, to crocheted items, toys, homemade soaps and lotions, crystals, candles and more.
“There was a steady stream of people coming in, and eager treasure hunters were even there before the doors opened,” Wade said.

Logandale resident Katie Rose was out and about Saturday morning. “I’m shopping today for guy stuff and tools, and I got some great books for my grandkids,” she said.

Another huge sale was going on at the Aspire Center in Overton. Many items were donated by Valley residents so the center could raise funds. The program helps local adolescents and adults with disabilities.

There were so many generous donations given that the entire yard was filled to the brim. The ultimate goal for the Aspire Center is to have a building of their own to meet in.

Aspire board member Erika Whitmore said, “A facility will provide day center programs, competitive job placement, legal assistance, and more.”

Local shoppers Bev and Mike Qualheim were enthusiastic as they perused the vast array of items at Aspire. “I’m mainly here for the dog biscuits,” Bev said.
“We also wanted to come out and support a good cause,” Mike added.