PARKERSBURG - Shoppers eager to bargain hunt Saturday hit the the 23rd annual Whale of a Sale fundraiser for the Junior League of Parkersburg at the City Park Pavilion.
"There were people already lined up and waiting to find what they wanted when I arrived at 6:50 a.m.," said co-organizer Jennifer Haught. "It happens every year and it's usually the same people."
Those who lined up had to wait until the doors opened at 8 a.m. to rush the tables and claim the big ticket items they wanted.
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Whale of a Sale
"We don't open early because we have to get everything set up," Haught said. "They waited patiently until we were ready."
Every adult who walked through the doors paid $2 admission into one of the area's largest annual yard sales.
Proceeds from the event support the Junior League's projects and the group is trying to raise $6,000 this year, which is what was made during last year's event.
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A woman goes through piles of clothing during the Junior League of Parkersburg’s Whale of Sale fundraiser.
"Each year differs with the things we have for sale," Haught said. "But I'm afraid we won't meet our goal this year because it just doesn't seem as busy."
This year's Whale of a Sale included items such as clothing for children and adults, sporting goods, household items and books.
"The most popular things were the furniture and the washers and dryers," Haught said. "All of these items were sold within the first 15 minutes or so of the day."
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Whale of a Sale
Furniture and big-ticket items were the first to go during the 23nd annual Whale of a Sale fundraiser in Parkersburg City Park Pavilion Saturday.
Buyers were lined up outside the Pavilion when organizers arrived at 6:50 a.m. to set up for the 8 a.m. opening.
This year's goal was $6,000, but because of smaller crowds, organizers said that they did not expect to meet the goal.
All items were sold at low prices that were continually marked down throughout the day with a "bag sale" at the end where everything that could be fit in a plastic shopping bag went for one lump sum.
"We have a lot of people come in morning and ask when the bag sale is so they know when to come back at the end," Haught said. "The idea is for us to get rid of as much stuff as we can to fund the things we want and need to do."
Kathleen Sandmeier of Mineral Wells filled a plastic storage bin of Christmas decorations just before the bag sale began.
"My family and I just moved here from Naples, Italy, where my husband was stationed in the Navy and I hadn't heard of this (sale) until this morning," she said. "Next year I will know to get here early."
Items that were at the end of the sale were donated to the ARC of the Mid-Ohio Valley. Businesses that donated support this year were Pierce Food Co., Hertz Rent A Car and Truck, Fred Maher, Vienna Fire Department, Kroger and JR's Doughnut Castle. The Parkersburg Catholic High School tennis team donated items left over from their sale on Friday.
The Junior League is a women's organization with a mission to offer women opportunities for leadership development, service and volunteerism, community connections and genuine friendships.
One of the biggest project the organization is working on is the JuLePs Pathways Playground to create an accessible playground at City Park. Once the playground is constructed it will offer children of all abilities an opportunity for play.
The kindergarten students from Parkersburg Catholic Elementary School sold cookies and lemonade with all proceeds going to the JuLePs Pathways Playground.
