JOYCE — It’s a bargain-hunter’s dream.
Garage sales will offer everything from housewares, collectibles, power tools and clothing to crafts and home-grown produce over the 61 miles of state Highway 112 during the Great Strait Sale, set from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
The scenery isn’t bad, either.
Getting visitors out to see the natural beauty of the northern portion of the West End is one of the reasons for the annual sale, now in its eighth year, said Sande Balch, event coordinator.
While shopping at community and private yard sales — 63 were counted last year between Laird’s Corer outside Port Angeles on U.S. Highway 101 and Neah Bay at the end of 112 — visitors can take in the forests and ocean vistas of the country highway that curves along the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the edge of the contiguous 48 states.
While picking up that one-of-a-kind trinket, a person could spot eagles. Or whales.
Another reason the Juan de Fuca Scenic Byway Association sponsors the Great Strait Sale is to foster a sense of community, Balch said.
“We were looking for an event that would make all the businesses and people living on Highway 112 part of one community,” Balch said.
“It was to tie the community together.”
Community garage sales will be set up near the Joyce Depot Museum, at the Clallam Bay Visitor Center and at the Neah Bay Village Market.
Balch expects some 20 to 30 tables in Joyce with a “pretty good showing” of sales in Clallam Bay and Neah Bay.
Residents along Highway 112 are encouraged to conduct their own yard sales at their homes along the way.
The Scenic Byway Association helps out with signs and with fliers that contain advertised sales and business specials.
Five businesses have advertised specials during the day to those participating in the Great Strait Sale.
Fliers are available at Laird’s Corner Market near the junction of U.S. Highway 101 and state Highway 112 west of Port Angeles, and also on the association website at www.highway112.org.
They also will be available at each community sale site Saturday.
History along the way
This year, the history of the area also will be featured.
The Joyce Depot Museum will celebrate its centennial with tours and music.
Photos of the logging booms in Sekiu — the first was located there 100 years ago — will be available for sale from the Friends of the Clallam Bay Library.
The Joyce Fire District will honor past volunteers from over 60 years of service to the community.
In Neah Bay, it is the 45th anniversary of the beginning of the Ozette Village excavation at Cape Alava. Artifacts from the 11-year dig are on display at the Makah Museum.
With additional attractions figured in, especially in Joyce, “it almost makes as big an event as Joyce Daze, except instead of vendors, you have people with sale tables,” Balch said.