10,000 good neighbors come together in Plumb Alley

ABINGDON, Va. – A homecoming of sorts on a day that always seems to have good weather, the Plumb Alley Day festival drew the typical crowd – estimated by organizers at about 10,000 people Saturday.
“They come to see their friends and neighbors, they come because they’re looking for yard sale bargains, they come because they want to support a local organization that helps children,” said Carl D. Clarke Jr., co-chair of the festival for the local Kiwanis club, which puts it together every year.
“I believe we had a very successful day… . I see as many people in the alley this year as we had last year,” Clarke said. “I think we have a wonderful, healthy crowd.”
Craft vendors, which lined several blocks on Plumb Alley midway between Main Street and Valley, were also upbeat about the crowd.
“I don’t think I’ve been affected by the economy because my things are priced with the economy, so I’m not having any problems,” said Netta Shepherd, of Johnson City, one of many vendors selling jewelry at the festival.
Petty Shepard, of Kingsport, who sells woven baskets, said she was doing pretty good as well.
“I think people are spending more money on things they can use as opposed to just decorative stuff,” Shepard said.
Jack Roper, a volunteer for the Kiwanis, said the organization’s yard sale, which had everything available – including a kitchen sink – raised more money this year than last.
“I suspect the people are looking for bargains because they can’t buy new things,” Roper said. “The furniture and things like that went real quick. And some things like the kitchen sink are just hard to sell.”
The crowd covered a broad age range, from grandparents with grandkids in tow, to teenagers hanging out with friends.
“French fries,” said 3-year-old Aralyn Conner of Bristol, Tenn., when asked what she was enjoying at the festival, “with cheese and ketchup on them.” Her mother said they’d come for the food.
“We try to come every year,” said Jennifer Barnes, of Chilhowie, who was there with her husband and children. “It’s just a good family day.”
Jack Kent, of Abingdon, said he was “just seeing all the people come out from everywhere and just kind of hanging out, looking around.”
“It’s my first visit, and I think it’s marvelous,” said Fran Kelly, of Abingdon.
Apparent up and down Plumb Alley were people catching up, goofing off, sharing news.
“It’s more than just a yard sale and food event, it’s a homecoming for a lot of people,” said Bob Craig, a member and former president of the Kiwanis.
“Memorial Day Weekend is traditionally a homecoming for a lot of people. It [Plumb Alley Day] just sort of kicks off the weekend for a lot of people and becomes part of their homecoming. In an election year, there’s elbow-to-elbow politicians walking the alley.”
One person for whom the event is a homecoming is Wythe Hull, who moved from Washington County, Va., to Loveland, Colo., three years ago – but has come back every year since to work at the festival for the Kiwanis.
“I just make Plumb Alley the excuse to come back,” Hull said. “I’ll be back next year, same time.”

| (276) 791-0701