When Bridgeport City Clerk Andrea Kerr decided a little more than a month ago to have a city-wide yard sale she had no idea what to expect. With the event a few weeks in the rearview mirror, she has a grasp of just how big it turned out to be.

 

“For a lack of better words, it was kind of thrown together just for the fact I didn’t know what all it would entail,” she said. “I had no idea it would get that big or be that successful.”

 

Successful may be an understatement. Despite having three weeks of prep time and less than two weeks to get your name and address included on a city map and list, Kerr said there were likely more than 100 families that took part in the yard sale. It was so successful that she said a decision has already been made on whether to have it again.

 

“We are definitely doing this again,” said Kerr. “The response was overwhelming and almost 100 percent positive from the feedback I personally got, hard second hand or saw on social media. A lot of people locally and from outside of Bridgeport really enjoyed it.”

 

One of those coming to the city was Mary Allison. The Marion County resident hit several city yard sales that day and was thrilled to see Bridgeport involved.

 

“We hit yard sales every weekend and love the city yard sales,” she said. “We’re glad Bridgeport finally is doing this and we’ll be back next year.”

 

As for negatives, Kerr said she did see some concerns on social media regarding congestion on city streets. Hannah Cantrell, who lives on area considered Worthington Drive, but just off of the roadway where a cul-de-sac is situated, said cars were blocking that roadway for portions of the sale on Saturday.

 

“It wasn’t continuous, but it did create some problems for those that lived in that area,” said Cantrell. “I think it’s a great idea, but hope they take this type of issue into consideration when they’re planning next year because I’d like to see the yard sale continue.”

Kerr said that’s something that will be discussed as the event approaches next year. And she thinks with more time to plan it out, issues of that nature are more likely to be mitigated.

 

“We’ll do a lot more planning next year and we’ll look at the impact on the residents as well as any other concerns that may be brought up,” said Kerr.

 

Although formal planning hasn’t started, Kerr said she has already started thinking about the 2016 event. She said the maps next year, as well the overall list, may include a small sample of what a particular yard sale features. She also said that she’s leaning toward having it the same weekend and including a list of Bridgeport restaurants on the back of the map to help guide those who plan on spending the day in the city a guide for them to get a bite to eat.

 

“The weekend worked out great for our residents and we had a pretty substantial turnout so my initial inclination is to leave it where it’s at, but that’s not set in stone,” she said. “There will be some things different and some things the same.”

 

Kerr said it was so overwhelming late in the process with individuals contacting her to see locations or add locations that she directed them to the Connect-Bridgeport.com Web site, which had the updated list and links for maps and other items.

 

“Other than the concerns with congestion, I didn’t receive a single complaint after the event was complete,” said Kerr. “Considering that we more than likely had more than 100 participants and those that I talked to seemed to all have large crowds show up, that’s really impressive. We’re definitely going to try and make it bigger and better next year and I think just by starting earlier that will happen.”

 

Kerr said planning should make it better, but there’s one thing she said that could put a damper on things next year. And she said no one can control it.

 

“Weather is the only thing that we can’t control,” said Kerr. “I don’t think we’d change the date so it’s likely always going to be a one-day event rain or shine.”

 

Editor's Note: Photos from the August 1 City-Wide Yard Sale that was a huge success by Tyler Maxwell of www.benqueenphotography.com.