Bargain hunt to your heart’s content during three days across a 50-mile stretch of the scenic Bridges to Buttes Highway. The communities of Chadron, Crawford and Harrison will host community-wide garage sales, alongside business sidewalk sales, home-based business vendor markets and farmers markets during a new event this summer.
The Highway 20 Frontier Finds event will take place June 6-8 and give bargain hunters the opportunity to shop across Northwest Nebraska from Chadron to Harrison.
“The idea for this “Junk Jaunt” style event has been proposed to community-wide garage sale organizers for several years,” said Kerri Rempp, director of Discover Northwest Nebraska. “The Chadron Chamber of Commerce, Discover Northwest Nebraska, Harrison Community Club and the Crawford Clipper-Harrison Sun, currently in charge of the garage sales in those communities, began discussions last fall to make that vision reality.”
Each community will host garage sales that weekend, and businesses are encouraged to take part with sidewalk sales or other special events.
The Open Frontier Creative District in Chadron will get in on the action as well. Enjoy a First Friday Art Walk on the evening of June 6, peruse the 2nd Street Arts & Crafts Market on June 7 or lend a hand painting new community murals.
“We are thrilled to collaborate on creating an opportunity to celebrate our vibrant community, support local businesses, and showcase our newly sanctioned Creative Arts District. We warmly invite both community members and visitors to explore all Chadron has to offer. With the potential to kick off our first mural of the 2025 summer season, we encourage businesses to keep their doors open late, engage with guests, and embrace the energy this event will bring to our community,” said Chadron Chamber of Commerce Director Gabby Michna.
The community of Crawford has sidewalk sales planned and will offer visitors the opportunity to shop unique local home-based businesses at a vendor market. In the mood for a good steak? Head to the Old West Trail Rodeo Fundraiser June 7, where you’ll be well-fed and can bid on live and silent auction items. The Crawford Public Library will offer a book sale and chalk art opportunities, or stop by the Crawford Historical Museum to purchase historical titles and Crawford High annuals.
“I am looking forward to collaborating with the Chadron and Harrison communities for Highway 20 Frontier Finds. The Crawford Community Wide Yard/Garage Sales was an event hosted by the Crawford Chamber of Commerce with the Clipper-Sun chairing the event,” said Jess Espinoza, owner of the Clipper-Sun, who eventually took over organizing the garage sales. “We have had as many as 30 sites and now with offering this style of sale sites, I only see it growing!”
In Harrison, pick up local goodies at the Farmers Market at Coffee Square on Main Street, and shop at the local businesses’ sidewalk sales in between hitting garage sales.
“Harrison is a small community, but is full of treasures. We are excited for the opportunity to join forces with other communities to bring our community sales into one event,” said Community Club member Jessi Grote.
“You’ll be able to find a variety of sales, from our local businesses, to our Farmer’s Market, and community members’ garage sales. We are looking forward to this event and hope to continue in the future.”
Vendor applications for the Frontier Finds and the 2nd Street Market are open now. Registration is required by May 25 and is $20 for a listing on the Highway 20 Frontier Finds maps and online. Registration is available at the Chadron Chamber of Commerce, the Crawford Clipper-Harrison Sun and the Harrison Community Club or download the forms at https://discovernwnebraska.com/highway-20-frontier-finds/. Details on the weekend’s events and the downloadable maps will be available at that website when they are available.
