One of Central Alberta’s largest garage sales will give bargain hunters the opportunity to browse through 90 tables of treasures coming up this weekend.
The Red Deer and District SPCA Garage Sale on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will offer an array of items for the bargain shopper and SPCA supporter alike.
The annual event, which raises funds for the SPCA’s shelter operations, first began a decade ago in a volunteer’s garage. Over the years it has grown exponentially and typically has people lining up before the sale starts on Friday at 10 a.m.
“I think it is one of the biggest and best garage sales in Alberta,” said Brenda Sparks, 55, who has organized the garage sale for 10 years.
“I enjoy helping the SPCA,” said Sparks, who is an animal lover herself.
A great find Sparks recalls is when one bargain shopper purchased a painting on the last day of the sale — when everything is priced half off.
“A little later we found out that the picture was actually worth, $2,500,” she laughed.
“You will never know what you’ll find there.
“A lot of people hold their items for the whole year in order to donate to them to this garage sale.”
Last year the weekend saw around 3,000 people, some of whom attended the sale multiple times to get a good look at the items. Sparks said the event is much like a store with categories.
“We have a kitchen area, there are toys, furniture,” she said.
The sale takes half of April and the whole of May to organize. It is coordinated by approximately 35 volunteers.
Organizers hope they will make $30,000, surpassing last year’s goal by $5,000.
“The volunteers put in so many hours, they just love it.
“The team that we have are awesome and they have a lot of fun,” Sparks said.
Making sure nothing goes to waste, local charities will pick up items that are left over on Monday.
The garage sale will also feature a raffle, silent auction and barbecue.
The Red Deer and District SPCA garage sale goes on Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 5239 53 Ave. Drop off your clean, used goods from Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. Items that cannot be accepted are clothing, shoes, computers, fax machines, TVs and large appliances such as stoves and fridges. For more information visit www.reddeerspca.com or contact Sparks at bspark33@shaw.ca.
jjones@www.reddeeradvocate.com