BELCHERTOWN — Get ready for a weekend of adventure, community spirit, and support for local businesses and charities as the inaugural Belchertown Community Yard Sale takes place Friday, Aug. 9, to Sunday, Aug. 11, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rain dates are Aug. 16-18.
Organizer Kris Lynds said, “This is the first time Belchertown has done a townwide community yard sale like this. Belchertown is such a hidden gem and people should know about all of the treasure that we have here in town. I’m really trying to shine a light on the beauty of Belchertown.”
Each participating household will offer its own unique items for sale, ensuring a wide variety of treasures to discover. Folks can purchase a map for $5 at Town Mart at 10 Federal St. to guide them through the event, highlighting participating houses and the items they have for sale. In addition, the event is partnering with local businesses to offer exclusive discounts to attendees. This initiative aims to showcase the diverse offerings of Belchertown’s local businesses and encourage attendees to explore and support the local economy.
Lynds explained, “I wanted to involve our local community more than just household yard sales and to actually feature local businesses so that people would stay around town longer to eat, shop, check out the sites and see what Belchertown has to offer.” He went on to say, “It’s not just about buying and selling; it’s about bringing the community together, supporting local businesses, and raising funds for a worthy cause.”
Proceeds from the event will benefit Better Together Dog Rescue, the event’s official nonprofit partner. Local businesses interested in participating in the event and offering discounts to attendees can do so for a fee of $50, with all proceeds going toward marketing efforts and donations to Better Together Dog Rescue. Better Together Dog Rescue is a nonprofit organization established in 2021. Its mission is to support dogs and the people who love them. They rescue dogs from the streets of Cleveland, Texas and the overcrowded shelters of Nashville, Tennessee, and surrounding counties, and find them their forever homes. They also assist local surrenders within the state of Massachusetts.
Founder Jenny Franz said, “We were contacted by Kris Lynds with this very generous offer. I met Kris when we were looking for a hospice foster for one of our dogs. Since then, he has been a big supporter of our work.”
She continued, “I have been a resident of Belchertown since 2007 and I think this is the perfect community to come together for an event like this. Our team will have a location and be participating in the sale. We are very much looking forward to it.”
To register for the yard sale, go to belchertownyardsale.com or btownyardsale.com. They are also available on Facebook and Instagram. The cost is $20 for households to sign up through Aug. 1. Registration is reserved for Belchertown residents and businesses only. For more information about the Belchertown Community Yard Sale, including how to participate as a household or a business, contact Lynds at belchertownyardsale@gmail.com or visit belchertownyardsale.com.
UPDATE: As a result of Hurricane Debby, the yard sale was moved to its rain date of Aug. 16-18 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
