Community Calendar

Historic National Road Yard Sale Festival Coming Through Altamont May 29 - June 2.

The 21st Anniversary of the Historic National Road Yard Sale Festival will begin May 29 and run until June 2, 2024 from Baltimore, Maryland to St Louis.  The 824 mile sale celebrates this historic by-way, giving communities the opportunity to host festivals and other community events.  Individuals and vendors are expected to set up with an assortment of roadside treasures including antiques and furniture, housewares, collectables, crafts, and in a few locations, be able to purchase Amish treats along the route.

The National Road, in many places known as Route US 40, was built between 1811 and 1834 to reach the western settlements, and was also the first federally funded road in U.S. history.  US 40 runs parallel to Interstate 70, passing through Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois.  The road had to pass through the capital of each state, that’s why it goes through Vandalia, Illinois’s capital at that time.

The goal of the sale is to have each community participate, and make the event one long festival along the route.  This is a way for each one to showcase what makes them unique in the old pike towns, and past sales have drawn in thousands of people to the areas.  It is a great way for local residents to make extra money, as well as help local attractions and other businesses.

Altamont is on the Historic National Road (Rt. 40) and will be participating in a big way.  The city-wide garage sales are scheduled at that time.  If you would like to be included in the map, call the city office.  There are vendors, food, drinks and bathrooms at the Effingham County Fairgrounds in Altamont with free admission to the fairgrounds.  Antiques, collectibles, a wide array of hand-made crafts, American Girl finely detailed clothes, photo studio props, scrapbooking supplies, baked goods, freeze-dried candy, jewelry, Tupperware, flower arrangements, sublimation, and a large assortment of good ole yard sale treasures will be available.  Need an electric keyboard or electric guitar, mom’s treasures, or pop’s garage junque?  Curbed Cravings Food Trailer (formerly the Wurst Wiener) will be selling their delicious sandwiches.  TacoBout will be selling their unique and delicious tacos.  The Caffinator has a wide range of drinks to quench your thirst.  There is still room for more vendors.  Contact Yvonne Flanigan by calling or texting 815-954-0450.  

The Wright Mansion in Altamont will be open for tours on Sunday, June 2nd from 2-4 pm.  Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for students.  Tours can be arranged at other times by calling ahead.  Altamont has a treasure trove in the antique mall downtown.  There will be food on the Triangle on Saturday provided by the Masons.

Effingham’s Farmer’s Market will be Saturday, June 1st at the old courthouse. St. Anthony of Padua Church will hold their Treasure Sale on Friday, May 31st and Saturday, June 1st.  They are just a few blocks off of Rt. 40.  Many Treasures were found last year.  The Silk Purse Resale Shop is right on Route 40.  Just drive carefully through Effingham as a multi-year construction project is going on.

Heading to Teutopolis, stop at Catholic Charities Second Hand Rose Resale Shop.  Many treasures will be found.  Look for signs in Montrose where you might find individual yard sales.  Jewett has nothing formal planned, but hopefully there will be a few sales.

Growing with Greenup, the Greenup Tourism and Events Team is planning events for you to enjoy their beautiful historic town.  The downtown is a designated Historic Business District.  They will have city-wide yard sales May 29 - June 2.  On Saturday, the Homesteader’s Market is open from 8-12.  The Historical Society is open with volunteers in Period clothing.  Greenup Depot and the Military Museum will be open for visitors.  Visit Cameo Winery.  Be sure to travel across Greenup’s covered bridge, Illinois’s longest.  Greenup says, “Lots of other things are in the works!!  Hope you all make time to visit Greenup, Village of Porches.”

Casey is home to 12 official World’s largest items as certified by Guiness Book of World Records.  Mail yourself a letter from the World’s Largest Mailbox.  Casey will be having city-wide yard sales May 29-June2.  Their local food truck will sell you food.  Casey has some nice little shoppes for you to treat yourself to ice cream, candy, pretzels, and food.  Casey also has a new downtown mini-golf.

Martinsville is home of the World’s Largest Horseshoe at the fairgrounds.  The Agricultural Fair will be going on May 26-June 2.  City-wide garage sales are will be held May 31 - June 2.

Marshall has the Marshall lions situated around town for your viewing pleasure, as well as historic murals painted on their buildings.  They also are home to the World’s Largest Gavel. 

To the west of Effingham, the Effingham County Humane Society will hold a Garage Sale rain or shine - Friday, May 31st 7 am - 7 pm; Saturday, June 1st - 8 am - 5 pm; and Sunday, June 2nd - 10 am - 2 pm at 12073 North 1000th Road. Effingham.  Watch for signs.  It is just off of Rt. 40.

St. Elmo will have city-wide yard sales May 29 - June 2.  Cummerland (sic) Trail Rummage Sale Annual Event Thursday, May 30, 3-6; Friday, May 31st, 8-4; and Saturday, June 1st, 8-2 - Rain or Shine - Indoor/Outdoor Paypal/Venmo/Cash 1743 North 2100 Street, St. Elmo.  Just south of I-70, Exit 76.

Brownstown will hold their Annual Community Yard sales Friday, May 31st from 8 am - 5 pm and Saturday, June 1st from 8 am - 2 pm.  Contact the Village Hall by Monday, May 27th at 4 pm to be put on the Yard Sale Map.  Maps can be picked up at the Village Hall, First National Bank of Brownstown, Brownstown Lumber, Marks, The Cabin, and Victory Lane Gas Station.

Vandalia, the second capital of Illinois, boasts the oldest Illinois State Capitol building built in 1836. Visitors may take guided tours, or they may walk through the building at their own leisure. Admission is free. Hours of Operation are Tuesday - Saturday 9- 5. Closed Saturday and Sunday.

Mulberry Grove posted city-wide garage sales for their residents.

Pocahontas will have Town Yard Sales on Friday, May 31st and Saturday, June 1st.  Pocahontas also has antique shops and an ice cream shop right on the Historic National Road - just 40 miles NE of East St. Louis!

Smithboro, Greenville, Highland, St. Jacob, Troy, Collinsville, Fairmont City, East St. Louis to the southwest have all been contacted to participate in this year's festival.  As of this date, nothing is planned in these towns. 

For information in Illinois, please contact Yvonne Flanigan at yflanigan301@gmail.com or call or text 815-954-0450.  For more information visit the official Facebook page “Historic National Road Yard Sale - US 40 Sales.”