Blog: Spend Saturday along Frederick Road for the National Road Yard Sale

So what am I doing this Saturday? Like I’d miss the first annual (I hope) Historic National Road Yard Sale in Catonsville? And how about that weather report, just what we ordered: sunny but not too sunny, a little warm but not like this mess we’re having right now.

Here’s my plan: get up early in the morning, eat a quick breakfast, and brush my teeth. Smear on some sunscreen (hate that stuff!) and don my red AntiqueWeek  t-shirt and jeans, my “Late Night” cap, and some comfy shoes made for walking. Stuff my pockets with cash and grab the wheeled cart my Grandmom used to use when she went shopping on Frederick Road back in the ‘50s. Jump in the car with Ken and head west on Maryland Route 144.

Our first stop has to be the Catonsville Assembly of God – they’re starting at 7 a.m., an hour earlier than the official time for the sale. Then back in the car for the ride out to the Patapsco River, all the while hoping someone along the way got the memo and decided to set up. Once at the county line, Mile Marker 11 for those keeping track, make a U-ie and come eastward to check out things at the Catonsville Historical Society. Return home, park the car, and then walk up to Frederick Road, checking out the sales at Salem Lutheran and Catonsville United Methodist. Cruise through the retail area until the action (and my feet) start to poop out and then (and here’s the genius part of the plan) hop on the MTA bus and ride into Paradise. I know there’s going to be vendors at the Emanuel United Methodist, so we’ll be sure to swing by there before heading into the commercial district. Finish up the eastern end of the sale and reluctantly catch a bus back to beautiful downtown Catonsville. Pick up some last minute bargains and straggle home.

Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?

And what will we be shopping for? Another “Last Supper” paint-by-numbers picture. White milk glass jewelry that catches my eye. Vera napkins. Vintage cocktail shakers. Art pottery that we know something about but the owner doesn’t. The usual stuff.

Oh, and 78 rpm records. We’re looking for some specific discs: “The Continental” by Leo Reisman, “Jack, You Dead” by Louis Jordan, and the Andrews Sisters singing “Bei Mir Bist du Schon” are tops on our list. But if you have a box of 78s you just want to get off your hands, we’d probably be interested in striking a deal (bearing in mind we once paid $50 for an entire carful of 78s (and I’m talking no room for another single thing), so don’t get greedy).

Which leaves one question: are we going to be the only ones out there? (Of course not.) What is your shopping strategy? (I’d love to hear it.) And what are you looking for? (I’m really interested in hearing this one.)