Over the years the Metchosin Community Association’s annual garage sale has definitely earned the title of ‘Mighty.’
The event has held strong as the organization’s largest fundraiser, bringing in roughly $19,000 last year, approximately half of the MCA’s annual budget.
The association runs the Metchosin Community House, which serves as an information and resource centre, and oversees a host of regular and special programs, from poetry to musical performances to gourmet dinners.
“(The sale) is vital, because if we didn’t have it we’d have to close down tomorrow,” said MCA president Johnny Carline.
Beyond the funds raised through the sale, Carline believes the event shines when it comes to sustainability, as hundreds of items that might have been bound for the trash or recycling bins are able to find a new home.
Donated goods have been coming in since May 20 and they include some premium items that will be part of the event’s silent auction on Saturday (May 27). Other higher-end items will be a part of a boutique type of sale, and general items will make up the rest of the sale.
In addition to such typical second-hand items as clothing, gardening tools and sports equipment, Carline noted that some more unusual goods have come in that certain bargain hunters may find appealing.
“We’ve got a set of mannequin heads with all the hair for people to practice hair styling. You walk in the room and there’s these decapitated heads looking at you. It really freaks you out,” he said, laughing.
A spearfishing set and a bow and arrow are also among the more unusual items that had come in over the first few days of donation gathering.
The keenest shoppers are encouraged to arrive at the Community House at or before 9 a.m. on Saturday, as a lineup is expected to form prior to the start of the sale.
“If you get there at around 10 to nine you’ll see probably around 100 people already lined up,” Carline predicted. “I’ve seen people jump the fence in order to get a head start on other people … it’s like one of those sales in a big department store. The first hour-and-a-half is crazy.”
Not only will Johan Wessels from Galloping Goose Sausage be on hand providing barbecued food, Carline said the restaurants in the village core typically do well from the added traffic.
“This is just old-fashioned small village stuff that were sustainable practices before we outgrew them in the big cities. I like this process a lot,” he said.
Donations can be dropped off between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. up until May 26. For more information on what items can be accepted, visit the Metchosin Community Association’s website at metchosincommunityhouse.com.
Ceramic enthusiasts
‘fired up’ in Metchosin
Also happening this weekend in Metchosin is the annual ceramic show for the Fired Up! group of ceramists. The 33rd annual show, happening on Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 5 p.m. at the Metchosin Community Hall (4401 William Head Rd), will have a theme of fractal nature, or works exploring the theory of chaos.
A gala event takes place on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. For more information, visit firedup.ca
joel.tansey@goldstream