Community Corner

Giant VNA Rummage Sale Starts on Friday

Sale held twice a year draws thousands annually from the area and other states.

Now that local donations already have been collected for this spring's giant rummage sale, a major fundraiser for the in Basking Ridge, hundreds of volunteers are faced with a mammoth task. All that must be sorted, checked and priced inside about 25 tents that will house different "departments" for the three-day sale.

Many tents already have gone up at the Far Hills Fairground at the intersection of Routes 202 and 512 in Far Hills, where the rummage sale is held each spring and fall. This spring's sale, expected to attract thousands of people, will run from Friday through Sunday, according to the VNA.

The merchandise also must be priced although most of the items could be categorized as bargains. However, more unusual, expensive or rare items are sold in the sales "Bonton" tent — think fine crystal, original art or a Samurai Sword.

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This year's spring Rummage Sale lets the public in at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, a time when many bargain hunters can be expected to be lined up and waiting for a first crack at merchandise. Scheduled hours on Friday and Saturday are from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with refreshments on site. Sunday, May 6, will have hours of 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The rummage sale, began in the early part of the 20th century. There have been few interruptions of the clockwork-like event, barring such occurances as the of the fall rummage sale in 2010.

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The event is recognized as the area’s oldest — and one of New Jersey's largest — rummage sales, with free admission and free parking at the fairgrounds.

With over 25 "departments" of merchandise, shoppers can find anything from antiques, jewelry and clothes to kitchenware, toys and sporting equipment, according to the VNA.

This year, two antique peddle tractors are among the donations, VNA spokeswoman Paula Some said on Tuesday.

During the height of the sale, some tents are filled to capacity with people, and shoppers must wait outside for someone to leave before they can enter.

More than 350 volunteers are expected to make the rummage sale happen, many of them returning for years, even decades.

The VNA issued an invitation for additional volunteers. "There is plenty to do, and we welcome whatever time you can give whenever you are able," according to the VNA. For information, For information on volunteering, call 908-781-6445, said the VNA website.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from the volunteer-run sale support the VNA’s programs and enable the organization to care for those who are uninsured or under-insured in Morris and Somerset Counties.

In recent years, accepted methods of payment include checks, with proper identification are accepted. Shoppers can pay for goods with cash, checks (proper identification needed) or credit cards in certain departments.

For more information about the sale, visit www.visitingnurse.org

The Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills and its subsidiaries provide individuals and families with comprehensive, cost-effective home and community healthcare services, regardless of ability to pay, using partnerships where appropriate. according to the VNA. It is a charitable, tax-exempt home health agency and hospice certified by Medicare, accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Program and licensed by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.  

Each week, Patch spotlights an area event that might be a welcome break from your regular routine, a Great Escape for parents.


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