CENTRE– A familiar drive through Cherokee County offers a different kind of destination this week: the next good bargain.

The annual Highway 411 Yard Sale is underway, with Alabama tourism officials listing Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 1–3. For local shoppers, Leesburg and Centre provide a stretch of the route close to home.

Meanwhile, the larger sale links communities in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. Shoppers can explore a few nearby stops or build a longer trip around the highway’s roadside sales.

A Local Road With a Much Longer Reach

The Alabama Tourism Department lists the sale during daylight hours, with no admission charge. Its Alabama route includes St. Clair, Etowah, and Cherokee counties.

From the Leeds area, the route runs through communities including Moody, Odenville, and Ashville. Then it continues through Rainbow City and Gadsden before reaching Leesburg and Centre.

Across the state line, Cave Spring and Rome offer nearby Georgia connections along the traditional route. However, local shoppers need not tackle the full three-state journey to take part.

Greater Gadsden Area Tourism describes more than 250 miles of sales and lists a 7 a.m.–5 p.m. time window. Because individual sellers operate their own stops, shoppers should confirm hours before making a special trip.

There is also a route detail worth remembering in northern Etowah County. Greater Gadsden notes that widening U.S. 411 bypassed the older highway alignment, leaving both old and new routes to explore.

For anyone following sale signs, that distinction matters. A drive along the newer roadway alone may leave part of the traditional route unexplored.

More Than Two Decades of Bargain Hunting

The sale’s roots reach back to the early 2000s, when its promoters saw an opportunity beyond clearing out unwanted belongings.

In an earlier Gadsden Messenger report, Colonel Parker Ray Tinsley described the idea behind the event. Other long-distance sales, including the World’s Longest Yard Sale and U.S. 11 Antique Alley Sale, helped inspire him.

Tinsley and his wife, Carolyn, traveled the route distributing fliers. They also promoted the sale online, helping spread word from one community to the next.

However, the ambition extended beyond bargains. Tinsley wanted visitors to discover the area’s lakes, rivers, parks, and mountains, while also considering its business and retirement possibilities.

He also captured the social appeal in a comment to the newspaper: “You can find anything at this yard sale from antiques, knick-knacks and even new friends.”

That history gives the event a local connection beyond the highway number. The road brings shoppers through communities whose restaurants, stores, and attractions offer reasons to stop after the bargain hunting ends.

A Busy Saturday Around Centre

Meanwhile, this year’s sale shares Saturday with Centre’s 50th annual Fall Festival. The separate event offers another stop for families spending the day in the area.

The City of Centre festival includes a children’s fun run at 9:30 a.m., followed by the parade at 10:30 a.m. Vendors, food, and live music round out the celebration.

For shoppers combining the two events, allow time to park and walk rather than planning every stop back-to-back. Drivers should also stay alert for pedestrians around festival activity.

Across the Georgia line, the sale has a fundraising connection as well. Alton Holman Heritage Arts in Cave Spring lists a Highway 411 Yard Sale fundraiser on its 2026 calendar.

The organization places that fundraiser in the first week of October, but does not list exact shopping hours. Anyone planning a special stop can call 706-584-0660 for details.

Leave Room for Bargains and Time for Traffic

A roadside sale calls for a different pace from an ordinary trip along U.S. 411. Even motorists who are not shopping should allow extra time and watch for vehicles slowing to turn.

Before pulling into a sale, signal early and look for a safe place to park off the travel lanes. Also keep driveways clear, avoid sudden stops, and watch for people walking between parked vehicles.

Passengers can help spot signs while the driver concentrates on traffic. Meanwhile, shoppers should keep children close and choose safe crossing locations rather than stepping out between vehicles.

A little preparation can also make the shopping easier. Bring small bills, drinking water, comfortable shoes, and enough vehicle space for anything you hope to buy.

Check an item’s condition before paying, because repair costs can turn a bargain into an expensive project. For larger purchases, bring suitable tie-downs and secure the load before returning to the highway.

Finally, plan around the advertised Saturday finish rather than assuming every seller will stay through Sunday. The best local outing may cover only a few miles, with enough time to browse along the way.