Taking a break from the interstate

This past weekend, communities spanning from Wytheville, Virginia to Harmony participated in the annual “Take a Break from the Interstate” road market.

The “Take a Break from the Interstate” tourism initiative began in 2012 as an arm of the Miles J.O.B. Fund Inc., a 501c3 charity. The event promotes regional travel, tourism, and economic development, welcoming travelers near and far to cruise U.S. Highway 21 and experience the beauty of northwest North Carolina and southwest Virginia.

The initiative’s primary draw is an annual 100-mile road market taking place the last full weekend in July. This year was Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28. People congregate along U.S. 21, forming 100 miles of yard sales, sidewalk sales, and special events. Some of the vendors are residents along the route, while others rent spaces from property owners.

Mark Davis is a repeat vendor who rents his spot. He is from Atlanta, Georgia, but he’s lived here in North Carolina for around three years to take care of his parents.

“You can sell anything — good, bad, it could be junk,” Davis said.

At some bigger locations, sellers go beyond yard sales, setting up food trucks, snack stands, and refreshment stations. One big family operation from Hamptonville set up shop in Elkin for the road market. The family sold everything from cleaning supplies and clothing, to flags and hammocks. They also had their own food stand selling Mexican street food.

Another local seller in Hamptonville named Diane said business has been slower this year as compared to a few years ago.

“I think people just don’t have the money,” she said, adding that the current economy has been hard on people, and subsequently, hard for local business.

The Jonesville town hall provided information pamphlets and sold t-shirts promoting the event. Bonnie Hawks. a tourism specialist, has worked at the town hall for most of the annual road market’s history. She said that the Jonesville, Elkin, and State Road areas are usually the most congested of the whole route.

“It is good for businesses — restaurants, gas stations, and hotels,” she said.

“Take a Break from the Interstate” is organized by a tourism council comprised of member partners from communities along U.S. 21. The council meets on the last Monday each month at 1:30 p.m. in Sparta.

The event is funded by sponsoring localities in coordination with Miles J.O.B Fund and in accordance with the annual budget of the organization.

For more information, visit www.takeabreakfromtheinterstate.org or the “Take a Break from the Interstate” Facebook page.