Conditions don't deter Yard Crawl participants

View larger image Jaime and Randel Stoneberger, right, of Page County, buy items from Samantha Funkhouser, of Strasburg, on Saturday along U.S. 11 north of Woodstock during the annual Yard Crawl. Andrew Thayer/Daily View larger image Traffic "crawls" through Toms Brook during Saturday's annual event. Andrew Thayer/Daily View larger image Southbound traffic slowly moves through Strasburg on Saturday during the annual Yard Crawl. Andrew Thayer/Daily View larger image Pedestrians and vehicle traffic maneuver through Middletown during the 6th Annual Route 11 Yard Crawl on Saturday. Andrew Thayer/Daily View larger image Crowds browse through the many items for sale during the 6th Annual Route 11 Yard Crawl on Saturday near Woodstock. Andrew Thayer/Daily

Despite rain, economy, buyers, sellers take part in annual multicounty event

By Alex Bridges - abridges@nvdaily.com

Used baby clothes, well-read books and other sundries stretched for miles in this year's annual Route 11 Yard Crawl on Saturday.

While the weather stayed much cooler than last year, some sellers and buyers said the crowds appeared thinner this time. Overcast skies threatened rain, but at least one seller blamed the lower turnout on the economy.

The Yard Crawl draws people from all over searching for bargains.

"We look for it on the Internet to make sure of the date," said Ruth Anne Buterbaugh, of Vienna, while perusing sales set up outside Strasburg near the Interstate 81 interchange.

Traffic further in town appeared to give the event its namesake as vehicles moved sluggishly. Volunteers helped control traffic at some intersections.

Tammy Dellinger had set up a table of items on the sidewalk in Strasburg. After shopping at last year's Yard Crawl, and buying a crib at the event, Dellinger said she wanted to participate as a seller.

"Obviously because there's an overabundance of people that come, the traffic and the flow of people," Dellinger said while holding her young daughter, Piper. "We had some extra stuff to get to rid of, you know, you change sizes in clothing, and some handmade things that I had made. So I wanted to come out and see how it worked out."

So she paid $15 to the local Chamber of Commerce to have the space. Dellinger gathered some baby clothes, a few homemade sock monkeys, books and other items.

"This is the first year I'm selling instead of buying," Dellinger said. "So once you pay the money you feel better and obligated to sell the stuff instead of going out and spending your money. Plus, whatever you can make is good, right?"

Down the street in Strasburg, Jeff Taylor and several other people sold donated items and fresh vegetables to raise money for Shenandoah Arts in the Valley Exploring Dreams, formerly the Strasburg Theater and Arts Centre Inc.

To the north, employees of ThermoFisher Scientific set up tables in front of the facility near Middletown. Workers gathered donated items to sell at the Yard Crawl, proceeds from which would go to the United Way, according to Donna Crim, of Winchester. Organizers also rented spaces to other sellers for $10, which goes to the United Way.

"I don't think it's been as busy as last year," said Brandy Mack, also an employee. "Last year it was ridiculous."

"It was the craziest thing I'd ever seen," she said.

In Middletown, roommates Jenny McGarvey and Andrea Freuh took advantage of the Yard Crawl looking for items to furnish their Front Royal apartment.

"I was looking for things to do in the community and I saw this online and it sounded like so much fun," McGarvey said. "But I dragged her along with me."

Freuh said events such as the Yard Crawl are held in her home in Germany but in centralized locations in cities or towns.

The two shoppers had a table strapped into the trunk of a Toyota Corolla.

"So we'll see how much more we can do before my car is overfilled," McGarvey said.

An organized event such as the Yard Crawl has its advantages, some sellers said.

"You definitely get the people here rather than having one at your house," Crim said.

Crim and Mack said most people appear to come from the region rather than from out of town.

"Maybe as years go by, the word gets out," Crim said. "You might have another Apple Blossom on your hands before it's all over with."