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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Residents wandered along rows of plastic folding tables, eyeing the discarded treasures strewn across them, during the community garage sale at the Multiplex last Saturday.

Maryann Slade packs up all her unsold goods as the community garage sale shuts down last Saturday. The event, which took place at the Multiplex, featured 59 vendors. - Miranda Scotland/NNSL photo

A display of paperbacks caught Danica Patterson's attention. While scanning the titles, she came across seven E.E. Knight novels and stacked them in her arms to take home to her husband.

"I'm missing book two, though," she said with disappointment.

Patterson is one of many Yellowknifers who attended the annual community garage sale, which is growing every year. Last weekend's event drew hundreds of residents and featured 59 vendors staffing 125 tables. In 2012, 51 vendors participated in the garage sale and the year before that there were 45.

"The participation and interest keeps growing," according to Brian Kelln, programs manager for the city's department of community services. "The City of Yellowknife actually sold out (of tables) a week before the event took place this year."

Amber Fradsham, who helped her neighbour sell at the event, said given the popularity she thinks the city should look at doing community garage sales three or four times a year.

"It's obvious that everybody here really wants to have a peak at everybody's little treasures. It's something that Yellowknife really needed," said Fradsham. "I think my favourite part was the kids playing at the table. We ended up giving a few things away because (the children) were so adorable."

During the event, Fradsham also found something for herself.

"I got the most incredible Star Trek mug with Dr. McCoy on it," she said, excitement rising in her voice.

Fradsham hadn't decided yet if she wanted to use the collectable mug or put it on display on a shelf in her home.

The event was a great success for Mina Moses, as well. The Yellowknifer started the day with three tables filled with clothes and at the end she only had a few items left. This was her second year being a vendor at the event.

"I sold almost everything," she said, adding she planned to return next year.

Meanwhile, Maryann Slade had a table filled with clothes, books, toys, Christmas decorations, stuffed animals and electronics. The first-time vendor said she was excited to get rid of all the old stuff lying around her house.

"It looks like I have a lot left but I actually sold twice over," she said, adding she plans to donate the unsold items to the Salvation Army and St. Patrick's Flea Market as well as put some of it on Yktrader. "It went really well today."

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