Despite hazy skies, the 100 Mile Yard Sale presses on. Here’s what you might find

Every year, visitors from around the country travel to northern Centre County and beyond to seek out unique finds at the 100 Mile Yard Sale. But this year’s event is facing a never-before-seen challenge — thick and cough-inducing haze from wildfires.

Now in its 29th year, the 100 Mile Yard Sale is hosted by the Quehanna Industrial Development Corporation and is one of the Pennsylvania Wilds region’s largest events. It runs this year from Friday, July 17 to Saturday, July 18, and features yard sales in northern Centre County towns like Snow Shoe and Pine Glen, and others in Cameron, Clearfield and Elk counties like Karthaus and Keewaydin.

This year’s event is facing an unprecedented obstacle though, in the form of air pollution from wildfire smoke drifting down from Minnesota and Canada that’s placed the entire state under an air quality alert, and has already canceled several events around the region.

Despite the unavoidable haze, the 100 Mile Yard Sale has pressed on, and hundreds of people across the region have opened their garages and front yards for business, despite already encountering a slow business day.

According to Chris Williams, the treasurer of the QIBC, while the major event technically lasts for only two days, some eager yard-salers looking to make an extra buck open for business on Thursday. But, this year, they experienced an ”incredibly slow” day of business due to the haze.

“I got quite a few phone calls (Thursday) asking if we had canceled it, or people saying that they saw on Facebook or online that it had been canceled,” Williams said. “I was happy to inform them that the event is not, in fact, canceled and that people should participate at their own discretion. The smoke’s obviously still out here, so be careful, of course, but it doesn’t seem to be affecting foot traffic at all.”

Williams added that despite the smoke, there was a record number of registered participants in this year’s 100 Mile Yard sale with “175 to 200,” and that anyone who decided to visit the event would still be able to find any number of “unique, cool or useful” finds.

The Centre Daily Times traveled to the event — which runs in a massive loop from Shawville to Medix Run and from Weedville to Sinnemahoning — on the hunt for one-of-a-kind and even downright funky items.

Here are 10 of our favorites:

Restored 1952 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup

Price: $28,000

Where you can find it: 35 Locust St., Karthaus

One of the most expensive items you’ll find at the 100 Mile Yard Sale is this four-speed, 1951 Chevrolet 3100 pickup truck. It’s one that antique vehicle collectors should keep their eyes on — or it could mark the beginning of young vehicle enthusiast’s collection.

Finished with a coat of glossy white paint and light blue accents, this half-ton classic has been completely renovated to as close as its original state as possible, has already been registered as an official Pennsylvania antique vehicle and will serve as a showpiece for whoever ends up purchasing it.

A Fishing Boat

Price: $675

Where you can find it: Burnside Township Community Park, 609 Pine Glen Road

For those who are more interested in water transportation than antique trucks, the 100 Mile Yard Sale has you covered there, too, with a 14-foot, V-hull fishing boat for just $675 — a price that’s already been discounted $25 since the start of the sale.

The “ready for the water” boat comes included with a trailer to haul it away on, and could be perfect for any local fisher’s next trip out to Black Moshannon State Park, Bald Eagle State Park, the nearby Lake Raystown or beyond.

Vintage Heineken-themed Cruiser Bike

Price: $80

Where you can find it: 101 Honeysuckle Lane, Snow Shoe

Sticking with the transportation theme, if a classic truck or fishing boat isn’t your cup of tea, perhaps a bicycle is — although this beach cruiser is painted bright green, carries the name of the famous Heineken beer brand and comes complete with a kick stand, bell and cushy seat.

This green machine is part of a limited edition of beach cruiser bikes produced by the beer brand in 1999 as part of a promo with its sister company, Amstel Light. Despite its light usage, the paint on the cruiser looks almost as good as it did when it was made.

With the price set at just $80, the future owner of the cruiser could take it to any one of Centre County’s bike-friendly boroughs, such as State College or Bellefonte, as soon as tomorrow, where they then could park it outside an eatery of their choosing and enjoy an ice-cold Heineken of their own — as long they don’t drink it on the bike!

“Cookin’ With The Lion” Cookbook

Price: $5

Where you can find it: Village Eatinghouse Sauce Kitchen & Marketplace, 1002 Pine Glen Road

On the hunt for some new, culinary inspiration? Curious about what the Nittany Lion enjoys eating for dessert? Well, look no further than the yard sale outside the Village Eatinghouse Sauce Kitchen & Marketplace in Pine Glen, where a copy of the Penn State Alumni Association’s “Cookin’ With The Lion” cookbook can be found for just $5.

This cookbook was published in 1988 and features 304 pages of gameday tailgate favorites, recipes from past alumni and Nittany Lion-themed desserts, which could prove to be perfect for your next Penn State football tailgate, Nittany Lion wrestling watch party and more.

Military-issued Snow Shoes in Snow Shoe

Price: $250

Where you can find it: 101 Honeysuckle Lane, Snow Shoe

Befitting of the name of the borough they can be found in, this pair of military-issued snow shoes were manufactured during World War II and served Roland Stevens, their past owner, well when he lived in Maine — a state which can see anywhere from 100 to 120-plus annual inches of snow in its most mountainous regions.

According to Stevens, the nearly five-foot-tall shoes were made between 1942 and 1943 by one of “three or four manufacturers.” While they may be tough to use for their intended purpose now without breaking them, a WWII enthusiast could add them to their collection for just $250.

Salt and Pepper Shakers

Price: Between $1 and $5

Where you can find it: 101 Honeysuckle Lane, Snow Shoe

Unbeknownst to many, salt and pepper shaker collecting is actually a beloved hobby, with some collectors traveling hundreds of miles to add just one special set to their collection — and some of those salt and pepper shakers can be found square in the middle of Snow Shoe.

One of the borough’s many yard sales boasts dozens of salt and pepper shakers, ranging in themes like matching milk cartons, a watering can and cactus, and more. There, dedicated salt and pepper shaker collectors might just find the very one they were looking for — or if you aren’t a collector, it may just be nice to spruce up your kitchen with a cute, unique or bizarre set.

1950s Ice Cream Maker

Price: $20

Where you can find it: 1105 Market St., Karthaus

While Centre County has no shortage of storied cream shops like Meyer’s Dairy, the PSU Berkey Creamery and more, have you every wondered what it’s like to try ice cream made from your own hands? Well, with the help of this 1950’s hand-crank ice cream maker, that dream can become a reality.

This vintage machine makes ice cream by packing ice and rock salt around a sealed metal canister containing ingredients like heavy whipping cream, whole milk and sugar, which, in turn, creates a cold environment below the freezing point of water. The ice cream maker then uses a hand crank to rotate the canister to churn the mixture, turning it into homemade ice cream after around 30 to 45 minutes of constant cranking.

Antique Horse Saddle

Price: $125

Where you can find it: Village Eatinghouse Sauce Kitchen & Marketplace, 1002 Pine Glen Road

Referencing the legendary folk rock band America, you may have been through the desert on a horse with no name, but have you ever tried riding on a horse with no saddle? For non-experienced bareback horse riders, that can be a challenging feat, but riding on a horse could be made easier with the help of this 1950s leather saddle.

While the maker of the saddle remains unknown, the high level of craftsmanship that its maker had is clear for all to see. Fine, highly-intricate leather carvings and indentations can be found on almost every inch of the piece, which could make you the envy of all your friends at the nearest stable for just $125.

Endless Fishing Supplies

Price: Varies

Where you can find it: Karthaus Community Park, 1124 Market St.

Hailing from Rockton in Clearfield County, Deason’s Get Hooked has taken their massive collection of fishing gear to the 100 Mile Yard Sale. The company’s selection includes everything from fishing rods, lines, reels, lures, hooks and more, for nearly everyone’s fishing needs.

Visitors will find several tables set up at their stand, with each table being lined “to the gills” with as much fishing gear as one could imagine, ready to be purchased and used in the nearby West Branch of the Susquehanna River — if the purchaser is eager enough to get their line in the water, of course.

Signed NFL Jerseys

Price: $125 each

Where you can find it: Pine Glen Fire Hall, 1003 Pine Glen Road

While fans of NFL football in Pennsylvania typically support either the Philadelphia Eagles or Pittsburgh Steelers, you don’t need to be a fan of either Keystone State team to appreciate the two signed jerseys that are for sale at a yard sale in the Pine Glen Fire Hall’s parking lot.

The signed jerseys of two San Francisco 49ers, the legendary Joe Montana and current linebacker Fred Warner, can be purchased for $125 apiece, if you’re willing to set aside the fact that the California team has achieved winning head-to-head records against both of the Commonwealth’s teams.

Sitting with a record of 22 wins, 15 losses and one tie against the Eagles, and 13 wins and 10 losses against the Steelers, the jerseys might be a wiser purchase as a gift for your 49ers-crazy cousin from the Golden State.