For the 23rd straight summer, Russell County will join nearly 680 miles of U.S. 127 in celebrating the 127 Yard Sale as buyers and sellers take to the roadway to see what can be sold or bought at a bargain this time around.

The 127 corridor runs from Hudson, Mich., south to Chattanooga, Tenn., then switches to the Lookout Mountain Parkway, continuing to Gadsden, Ala. before it ends, according to sale officials.

The Lake Cumberland area is roughly the midpoint of the sale and with beautiful scenery, the lake and other shopping and lodging opportunities along the way, this area is a hot spot for many "yard salers."

The four day sale officially started August 5th and will run through the 8th but many have been set up days, even weeks in advance to take advantage of this special time of year.

This is Nancy P. Grider's seventh 127 Yard Sale. She is set up at Ralph Morgan's location, across from the junction at Lakeway Drive and U.S. 127. Morgan's location is home to approximately 40 yard sales each year.

"He knows I'm one he can depend on to be here," she said. "I'm always here, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m."

Grider, who is a native Russell Countian, set her sale up on Sunday morning and sold nearly $200 worth on her first day.

"I was just impressed," Grider said. "I just have a variety of stuff."

Her location on the lot is nestled between two shade trees and Grider meets everyone with a wave and a smile.

Grider has many antiques and older items for sale, including a 1948 move projector screen, guns, old movie posters, Indian rocks, jewelry, poker chips, vintage amber perfume bottles and furniture to name a few.

She even plays music with her gospel group for the passers-by, making it more than a sale in her eyes.

"We have a field day," she said. "We'll even bring the grill out here and have a hamburger."

The original intent of the sale was to prove the back roads have something to offer, and that the interstate system was not the only mode for travel.

County officials put together a list of attractions along the route in Kentucky and Tennessee and we have what it is called today, "the world's longest yard sale".

There are more than 300 attractions along the route to provide enjoyment for the family, including all that Lake Cumberland has to offer.

Thousands of people participate in the sale each year as vendors, including many in Russell County.

A front lawn may be turned into a showcase as items are displayed. Off road parking is essential, and many of the homes have this space. Visitors should honor requests of "No Parking" or "No Trespassing" posted by folks not participating in the sale as cars can leave deep tire ruts on a soft lawn.

Traffic congestion is part of the annual phenomenon to be endured, but the chance of finding a treasure lures them on. Many visitors plan their vacations around the sale event, with some traveling the entire length. Others may opt to spend their time in a selected area, and venture off the beaten path to discover the history of that specific area.

Whatever the mode of travel you may choose, please do expect plenty of traffic. The pace may slow to that of rush hour traffic. It may be bumper to bumper with everyone stretching their neck to see what is on a seller's table or in the front lawn.

Do expect sudden stops to occur without warning, and drive carefully and defensively. Enjoy the spot wherever you are, because down the road a few miles may be a space where no vendors are set up and the traffic will move along as usual.

A few dislike the traffic associated with the sale, but all must admit, the sale is good for the local economy along the route.

For more information regarding the annual Hwy 127 Corridor Sale are encouraged to visit the official website at www.127sale.com