Yard sale season kicks into gear — ‘Take our junk, please’

MUKILTEO — You might have to thank de-clutter diva Marie Kondo for some of the finds at Great Mukilteo Garage Sale, where items that don’t “spark joy” can be had for cheap.

The community yard sale season kicks off Saturday with the Mukilteo spree, which covers south Everett, Picnic Point and Serene Lake. Mill Creek’s citywide sale is next weekend. Mega-neighborhood sales continue through summer.

“Guilt-free shopping” is the motto for the spread by Lu-Anne Warner and other parents to raise money for the Columbia Elementary Destination Imagination team’s trip to a competition in Kansas City.

The driveway at 4416 92nd St. SW was festooned Friday with goods at the multi-family sale.

“We had some lady who got married and emptied her storage unit from her previous marriage,” Warner said. “Fill a bag for 5 bucks or a box for $10. Take our junk, please.”

This is Mukilteo’s 32nd year for the yard-hopping shopping bonanza.

Empty your trunk. Bring cash. Wear sensible shoes.

Be patient. It can get hectic with swarms of cars and pumped-up treasure hunters.

Be polite. Even if someone gets mad, it’s only a bauble.

Take a photo to remember where you park. In the frenzied excitement of lawn-after-lawn deals, it’s easy to lose your car in a subdivision where homes look alike.

If you don’t see something you want, do what Fred Wahlgren does — ask.

The Mill Creek man scoured yards Friday for Elvis albums. At Don Lappert’s sale, there were scarves, gadgets and 30 pairs of shoes, including rubber beach sandals shaped like fish for $15.

He asked Lappert about albums, who it turned out had a stack in his shed he was happy to part with.

Wahlgren scored seven vinyl Elvises for $1 each. He passed on the fish shoes.

What I didn't buy at the Great Mukilteo Garage Sale. Now the rest of my life will be filled with regret. pic.twitter.com/kgpctwrG7W— Andrea Brown (@reporterbrown) April 26, 2019

To avoid parking gymnastics, about 30 vendors will set up shop from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rosehill Community Center in Old Town.

“There is a pretty steady flow of people throughout the day,” said Nick Hamblet, recreation coordinator.

“It’s a lot of clothes and personal housewares. Books are another big one. Some people have collection items. Somebody had Coca-Cola items last year.”

On Monday and Wednesday, there is free trash pickup of practically anything. Many residents put big and unwanted items in advance for yard-salers to scoop up free.

This week’s Mukilteo Beacon has a list of sales. Items include aloe plants, plywood, leather biker chaps, scuba gear and a retiring architect’s blueprint machine, in addition to the usual toys, tools and trinkets.

Pick up a copy in front of the newspaper office. It might help your search and also the fate of Aunt Edna.

“Help Aunt Edna escape sale,” one ad reads. “She’s trapped in the attic behind the curios, clothes, ephemera, objet d’art and other items of dubious value. 9-5.”

That sale is at 1512 Debrelon Lane.

Save the date

Mill Creek: The biannual Mill Creek Spring Garage Sale is May 4.

“Just open your garage doors at around 8 a.m. and people will come,” the website says.

The Goodwill trailer will be in the Mill Creek Community Association Office parking lot from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 4 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 5.

The city’s fall garage sale is the first Saturday in October.

Richmond Beach: The annual Richmond Beach Community Garage Sale is May 18.

Maps will be available at the Richmond Beach Coffee Company, 1442 NW Richmond Beach Road, starting May 17.

Everett: The Glenhaven Neighborhood Association sale is May 18. The sale has been going on for about 20 years.

North Everett: The Mother Of All Garage Sales is Aug. 3.

It lives up to its name. More than 100 families participate. There will be food trucks and portable toilets at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park. Printed and online maps.

The website says: “Please … no double parking, watch out for pedestrians, and drive extra careful. Remember that on Grand Avenue you can only park on the east side of the street facing north. The gate between Everett Community College at Waverly will be open.”

Marysville: The 3rd Annual All Marysville Garage Sale is Aug. 16, 17 and 18.

The 2018 sale had 124 homes participating and drew 2,000 people.