20th anniversary of the 400 Mile Sale

Debbie Spencer founded the sale event in 2004 to “bring awareness of antique and curiosity shops” between Maysville and Paducah. With few exceptions, the entire US-68 corridor includes host sites.

In 2023, 129 sites in Logan County and about 1,000 sites in total were registered. Hall estimated 2,000-2,500 sales were actually set-up along the entire route. Hall stressed the importance of vendors and shoppers utilizing the 400mile.com website.

“Vendors will see more traffic to their site when they register the types of items offered,” Hall said. “Similarly, shoppers’ use of the Map My Route feature will show them where specific and unique items are that they’re hunting for. It really is their treasure map!”

The combination helps create what she refers to as “a love match between sellers and shoppers.”

For 2024 to be another memorable and successful year, Hall encourages vendors to register their sites. “If you are a business, church, or community location offering multi-site space, or if you’re a single-site vendor, your sale may be more successful after you’ve registered,” Hall said. “Registering your site is free, so it’s a win-win for everyone.”

Communities where sites are located also benefit from the event.

“The multi-day event brings hundreds of thousands of people into and across the Commonwealth and through our communities,” Hall said. “They will not only shop the sales offered, but they are eating in local restaurants, fueling up at the gas stations, and spending the night in hotels and bed-and-breakfasts. In their down time before and after shopping the sale, they are wandering around our towns. Many shoppers return later when downtown areas have great sidewalk sales or a business’s window displays are memorable.”

Shoppers may also notice something new for this year.

“We have three sponsors for the 20th year,” Hall shared. “On the western end of the state, Farley and Reidland are the starting points. We are so excited to have the Farley Community Center as a sponsor and partner for their communities, and they are only the second business ever to sponsor this event.”

She added, “After an 18-year absence, Paris/Bourbon County Tourism is once again sponsoring, and for the first time ever, Maysville Tourism is a sponsor.”

While these sponsors are great, there are a few areas where Hall hopes sponsors will come forward.

Although 12 counties or towns are active sponsors, the large populous counties of Warren, McCracken, Mercer, and Taylor do not sponsor this event. “All our information tells us the majority of shoppers will stay at least one night in Paducah or Bowling Green, and neither county is sponsored,” shared Hall. “We would love to have them on board this year and in the future.”

To register your site, visit www.400mile.com. If you need assistance or more information, you may contact Tara Hall through the website or the 400Mile Facebook page.

Denise Shoulders can be reached by emailing dshoulders@newsdemocratleader.com