Among the pots and pans, bird houses and baby clothes, shoes and CDs, one booth is sure to stand out at Saturday's NWA Largest Yard Sale. It's the only one where you can buy love -- or at least borrow a little.
Thanks to a donation made by staff members at the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, that booth will be manned -- dogged? -- by volunteers from the Fayetteville Animal Shelter, offering canine cuties available for adoption.
One of them -- unless he finds his "furrever" home first -- will be Reuben, who has one of those stories you read about on Facebook.
Reuben came to the shelter when he was not yet 3 months old, and he's already been adopted once and returned. A hound/labrador mix, he has something called "demodectic mange." It's caused by mites that all dogs have, explains Joni Mosher, programs administrator at the shelter, but Reuben had a rough start, and when he came in to the shelter, he had bald patches and "was crusty looking." What makes him different now -- at 7 months old -- is that he is going to need to have medicine every month for the rest of his life, Mosher says. That's why his placement didn't work out; his family couldn't commit to that.
"He's not contagious to dogs or people," Mosher says. "And he's one of the sweetest dogs ever. He just loves kids, babies, all dogs... He's a happy guy."
Adoption applications will be available, and placements can happen in as little as 24 hours. The cost is $60 for dogs younger than 5 years old; $30 for those between 5 and 10; and the fee is waived for dogs 10 or older.
And, besides the fact that older dogs are awesome, that would leave you with money for all the other fun at the yard sale, which is in its second year.
"Northwest Arkansas residents seem especially fond of their vintage finds, antique stores and flea markets," says Crystal Costa, advertising and marketing director for the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, which hosts the sale. "We thought an idea for a community treasure hunt, so to speak, had the potential to attract thousands and help the community.
"Last year was our first event, and it exceeded our expectations. We were blown away when we had more than 8,000 attend. This year, we've planned for 10,000. Both fair gates [at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Fayetteville] will be open, and we've have more than 40 volunteers working parking to make sure it's easy to get in and start treasure hunting."
Of course, Costa promises there's fun for the whole family, not just those who collect.
"For the kids, we have a Kids Zone that will feature bouncy houses and slides, as well as pony rides from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kids are free to enter the festival, but the Kids Zone is $5 for a bouncy zone pass or a pony ride, or $8 for both. We have several chaperoning the area, and it's gated. We will also have helicopter rides available for those who'd like to get a little adventurous!
"But what we hope to become an even larger attraction is the NWA's Got Talent Competition. We'll have a 17 and under competition from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and then an 18 and older competition from noon to 4 p.m. This will be a great place to take a break, enjoy some talented local artists and have a meal and drink."
My sisters and I will be there, too, with a plethora of weird stuff to sell. My goal -- and my boyfriend's -- is that I don't come home with more than I take. Particularly, not a puppy.
Becca Martin-Brown is an award-winning columnist and Features editor for the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Email her at bmartin@nwadg.com.
NAN Our Town on 04/30/2015