Chenille bedspreads, pecan logs, fruit stands and sweet ice
tea fueled many local economies along the Dixie Highway from
1929 -mid 1970's.  Now during the first weekend each June, the
Dixie Highway route will once again attract thousands of visitors
as it gears up to sell nostalgic souvenirs, antiques, collectibles
and much more during the Dixie Highway 90-mile Yard Sale.  The
yard sale is set for June 6-8, 2008

    Northwest Georgia's Dixie highway Yard Sale follows much
of the original 90-mile stretch from Ringgold to Marietta, established
in 1912 as the Battlefield Route.  The yard sale celebrates the
revitalization of the Dixie Highway and attracts visitors to
simpler times, giving communities along the route an opportunity
to promote their individuality and hidden gems.  There are 13
Dixie Highway communities featured:  Ringgold, Tunnel Hill, Rocky
Face, Dalton, Resaca, Calhoun, Adairsville, Cassville, Cartersville,
Emerson, Acworth, Kennesaw and Marietta.  A Committee of Visitors
Bureaus and Chambers formed Georgia's Dixie Highway Association
(GDHA) in 2001 to promote tourism.  A mega-yard sale was suggested
as a great way to promote this historic driving tour.  The concept
complemented the original nature of the route.

    Yard sale sites will be marked with "Official Dixie Highway
Yard Sale."  Other sales are sure to spring up along the route,
too.  This year, Marietta's "Treasures from the Attic" Bazaar
will join forces with the Dixie Highway Yard Sale.  This event
as well as the Marietta Square Merchants Sidewalk Sale will be
held Saturday, June 7.  Some of the unique items sold last year
included authentic chenille bedspreads, a dirt-track stock car
and a kitchen sink.  Enterprising residents baked cakes, smoked
barbecue and erected old-fashioned lemonade stands.

    For a complete listing of "Happenings Along the Dixie Highway"
for that weekend or a list of yard sale sites, please visit our
website at www.dixiehighway.org.  For a visitor guide and map,
please call 800-733-2280.