The 50 Mile Garage Sale on Route 90 in the Finger Lakes
Every year during the last full weekend of July, the 50-mile stretch of Route 90 in the Finger Lakes becomes one humongous garage sale.
Here’s everything you need to know about getting there.
by Chris Clemens
The legendary weekend long event that is the Route 90 Garage Sale brings visitors from as far away as California. Stretching from the southern end in Homer to the northern end in Montezuma, the garage sale is one of the pinnacle events of a Finger Lakes summer. People actually come from out of state and stay the weekend just to shop at the sale.
The 50 Mile Route 90 garage sale is always the last full weekend in July
A few families set up Friday night, so if you’re around then it’s worth it to take a drive through
There are antiques, hand-made goods, household items, and occasionally even a vehicle for sale
History Of The Garage Sale
In 1987, a couple enterprising women realized that this section of the county didn’t see as many visitors as other sections. Much of these towns like Kings Ferry and Union Springs are home to farms that have been operated by the same families for generations. Those old farms had big barns filled with treasures that were ripe for the enterprising picker.
That’s when Connie Reilly and Barbara Noden realized the potential of Route 90.
“Everyone loves a garage sale,” Reilly told me. “There were these huge barns just filled with great old antiques.” Some of those people had tried sales on their own, but without a lot of cars driving through, a single garage sale in a rural stretch of road can be tough to make work.
They floated the garage sale concept out to the community and there was no hesitation. Everyone loved the idea of one weekend where they could all set up at the same time.
“People Love A Garage Sale”
That first year, Cayuga and Cortland counties knew they had something special.
People visiting from out of town were booking hotels and rooms at bed and breakfasts. The Boy Scouts and even the Masonic Temple were able to set up booths with food that helped them raise money. Gas pumps were pumping and diners were filled.
From day one the Route 90 Garage Sale had a festive feel that everyone enjoyed.
Reilly told me, “Somewhere around the twelve year, we started to get worried. All those barns with all that great treasure were finally starting to deplete their inventories. What happens when those farm families sell out of their stuff?”
But, the entire community made it obvious they wanted to continue. At that point, the garage sale had become a thing all its own and it was too much fun to even consider stopping. They’d find more stuff. And, find more stuff they have.
In fact, in recent years, some families even set up on Friday night just to get a head start.
After three decades, people from far and wide are still scheduling their Finger Lakes vacations around the iconic 50 Mile Route 90 Garage Sale.
Trying to figure the best plan for tackling a 50 mile garage sale isn’t an easy task. So, before you head out to snag a deal, here’s everything you’ll need to know.
50 Mile Route 90 Garage Sale – The Route
(Technically, it’s 54 miles from Homer to Montezuma. But, Noden and Reilly thought that rounding down would make it easier to remember.)
Ultimately, the trail passes through both Cayuga and Cortland Counties. In Cayuga County, you’ll hit the towns of Montezuma, Cayuga, Union Springs, Aurora, King Ferry, Genoa, Locke and Summer Hill. Then, you’ll pass over into Cortland County to hit the town of Homer.
NOTE: Much of this land is farm country, and the towns are small. There might be some stretches of Route 90 where you just see farmland for a few miles. Keep going, there’s another stand set up just ahead!
There’s two counties, nine towns, 54 miles, thousands of people, and plenty of deals to score!
Starting In The North:
On the north end, the sale route begins in the town of Montezuma. If you’re coming from the west on the Thruway, your best bet is to get off at Exit 41 for Waterloo. It’s probably more miles, but if you really don’t want to backtrack, go north here and then head east on Route 31, which will meet up with Route 90. From there, you can take Route 90 the whole rest of the day.
If you don’t mind backtracking on Route 90, you can just head over on Route 318 and drive through the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge.
If you’re coming from the east on the Thruway, you’ll probably want to get off at Exit 40 for Weedsport and take a right onto Route 31.
Starting In The South:
If you’re looking to start at the south end, you’ll be looking for the town of Homer. Taking Route 81 from the north or the south is easy, since there’s an easily accessible exit for the town of Homer.
Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Locke, Meetups in Locke.
