Sales bring deals, visitors

Sanders County was buzzing Friday and Saturday as hundreds of residents and visitors hit the highways for the annual Sanders Saleing county-wide yard sale event.

More than 80 people registered sales for the event, traditionally held the last weekend of June and sponsored by the Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce. Several other sales popped up throughout the county as well.

Plains was buzzing on Friday and Saturday with busy yard sale traffic in and out of town. Peggy Mann, who lives on River Road West, decided to have her sale at the fairgrounds. "I have a lot of good stuff left over from my embroidery store," Mann said. She had a variety of embroidered caps for sale. "It has been going very well, lots of traffic," she commented.

One yard sale was a combination of items from seven different families. Lydia Lee from Hot Springs said Friday was very busy with lots of sales. Saturday had lots of traffic but mostly people who just browsed.

In Thompson Falls, sales were busy both days throughout town as well as on long Cherry Creek Road. Ruth Tucker of Trout Creek hosted a sale at her home along Highway 200. She said they met someone from Texas who comes up to Montana at this time each year so they can go to sales. Lorry Haflich in Noxon said traffic was heavier on Friday with buyers, but saw a steady line of visitors Saturday as well.

Sales on Upper Lynch Creek in Plains saw a lot of traffic as well. Karin Stoltz said they had great crowds of people on both days. Lily Taylor was part of that combined sale on Blaisdell Road. "I have sold over $30 worth of toys," the 10-year-old said. "I am saving my money for the fair and college." Sonya Black from Camp Bighorn went to the sale. "We have hit sales in Paradise, but mostly in Plains and bought some fun odds and ends for the camp as well," she commented.

"Our saleing weekend is the same weekend as the Bitterroot Valley, but we still see so many people coming from out of town for the Sanders County event," said event organizer Annie Wooden. "Several business owners in the area said they were swamped Friday and Saturday as well, so it's a great boost to our local economy, with the added bonus of people getting rid of some of their things at sales."

Wooden said people are already asking about next year's Sanders Saleing event, which is scheduled for June 27-28, 2025.