BY LINDSAY MCCOY

Times Bulletin News Writer

lmccoy@timesbulletin.com

VAN WERT - Beginning today, Van Wert will once again take part in celebrating the 8th annual Lincoln Highway Buy-Way Yard Sale. The sale extends through West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa. This sale commemorates the first paved transcontinental highway, which event-goers now follow to find some of the best yard sales in the area.
"If you are looking for it, it's out there somewhere waiting for you to buy at a bargain price," said Mike Hocker, executive director of the Lincoln Highway Historic Byway.

To celebrate the start of this annual sale, photographers from the regional travel magazine, Midwest Living, will be making their way to Van Wert to capture pictures of the sale as well as publish a story for next year's sale.

"This will be a great boost for Van Wert," said Executive Director Larry Lee of the Van Wert Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Ohio is always a hub of activity during this sale. Previously, the 127 sale was on the same weekend as the Lincoln Highway sale, so I am not sure what to expect this year. People have requested this split because many believed 127 overshadowed this sale."

Lee did note that traffic has been down in the area for events such as this. The U.S. 127 yard sales saw reduced traffic as well as fewer sale locations this year. Lee believes that people are tired from the extended heat and drought and also the recent storm which caused many unwanted costs for residents. Lee believes the rise in gas prices has also hurt yard sale business this year.

"I hope it will be a successful sale again this year as it has been in previous years," said Lee.

A twenty-six mile section of the first coast-to-coast highway travels right through the heart of Van Wert County.

This 3,000-mile "Main Street across America", constructed in 1913, extends from Times Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco, California. The name, Lincoln Highway, was selected by the President of the Packard Motor Company, Henry Joe Packard, to be the first memorial to Lincoln, nearly 50 years after his death.

Also on Thursday, Aug. 9, the second Market on Main will be underway from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Those following the Lincoln Highway route are encouraged to drop by and see the new variety of vendors for this weeks event. Market on Main is located at 121 E. Main St. in front of the courthouse.