Residents line up for Junior League sale

Shoppers were eager to bargain hunt Saturday during the Junior League of Parkersburg's 24th annual Whale of a Sale in the City Park Pavilion.

"People were lined up before we got here waiting for us to open the doors," said Jackie Thomas, chair of the event. "It happens every year because people want to get a good deal on the best stuff we have."

Those who lined up had to wait until the doors opened at 8 a.m. Saturday to rush the tables and claim the big ticket items they wanted.

"Things were flying when the doors opened as people rushed to get what they wanted," Thomas added.

Every adult who walked through the doors paid $2 admission into one of the area's largest annual yard sales. Proceeds from the event went to support the Junior League's current projects and the group is trying to raise $6,000 this year through the event.

"Each year we have the same goal and each year we make a different amount," said Valerie Curtis, president-elect of the Junior League. "Some years we raise $4,000 and others we've raised $12,000; it all depends on the items donated for the sale."

The items in the Whale of a Sale are different for each year's event as the Junior League collects everything from electronics, clothing and toys to exercise equipment, furniture, dishes and books for the event.

"We spend all year getting the things together for this one day," Thomas said.

All items were sold at low prices that were continually marked down throughout the day with a "bag sale" at the end where everything that could be fit in a plastic shopping bag went for one lump sum. The bag sale is to aid the Junior League in getting rid of as many items as possible and raise as much money as they can.

Items left over at the end of the sale were donated to The Arc of the Mid-Ohio Valley for its Noah's Arc Thrift shops. The stores allow The Arc to provide for 28 local programs and services to aid those with intellectual and mental disabilities.

Businesses that donated support this year to the Whale of a Sale included Pierce Food Co., Hertz Rent A Car & Truck, Vienna Fire Department, JR's Doughnut Castle and Panera Bread.

The Junior League is a women's organization with a mission to offer women opportunities for leadership development, service and volunteerism, community connections and genuine friendships.

One of the biggest projects the organization is working on is the JuLePs Pathways Playground to create an accessible playground at City Park. Once the playground is constructed, it will offer children of all abilities an opportunity for play.

Other Junior League projects benefiting from the sale will include the historic Cook House and the upcoming Kids in the Kitchen project to be held during the Downtown Farmers' Marketplace.