| APRIL 28, 2006 -- Bargain hunters and treasure seekers will descend on the town Saturday looking for special deals as part of the town's annual community tag sale.
For the 12th year in a row, the Vernon Neighborhoods Coalition and the Tolland County Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the annual town-wide tag sale, which has become a spring rite of passage.
The tag sale, which is scheduled to run between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., will include dozens of sales at homes and businesses throughout town.
A special section in Thursday's Journal Inquirer listed the more than 100 registered tag sales.
In all, 120 sales have been registered with the chamber, officials said.
The concept of the tag sale began in the early 1990s when Democratic Town Councilwoman Marie A. Herbst suggested that the neighborhoods coalition consider holding a community tag sale.
Herbst said she had read an article in Yankee Magazine about other communities holding similar sales and she thought the concept could work in Vernon.
Not only did the concept work, it has become a tremendous success, drawing thousands of residents and visitors to the community each year, Herbst said today.
"The people just love it," said Herbst, who is the tag sale's co-chairman. "They come from all over."
Typically, Herbst said the town would begin receiving phone calls inquiring about the tag sale in February.
In addition to giving residents an opportunity to sell some of their unneeded clothes, books, and furniture, Herbst said the tag sale also brings in visitors for local businesses.
In past years, visitors have come from as far away as Cape Cod and New York to bargain hunt, said Candice Corcione, the chamber of commerce's executive director.
"It's a like a big treasure hunt," said Corcione, who added that some visitors have been known to arrive as early as 6 a.m. for that day's sales. "It's a good time for the community to get together."
The tag sale also gives residents an opportunity to join together in an event that promotes community spirit.
"It's a community affair," Herbst said. "It's a fun thing to do. You meet people, you talk to people."
In addition to the dozens of individual tag sales, the Vernon Historical Society will also hold its annual book sale.
The sale, which benefits the society, will be held at the organization's office, which is located in the Vernon Grange building on Hartford Turnpike.
For those who are unable to sell all their unwanted goods at the tag sale, the Public Works Department will hold bulky-waste pickup next week.
Residents wishing to schedule a pickup should call 870-3500.
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