Warrensburg’s World’s Largest Garage Sale: Conquer the traffic jam

It’s that time of year when the streets of Warrensburg are paved with deals, and the aroma of blooming onions and fried dough settle over this Adirondack hamlet like a mist from the gastronomical gods above. The 33rd World’s Largest Garage Sale promises to be as big as ever; venders and private sellers have been setting up all week, creating an air of excitement with the extra activity.

But, not everyone is in a festive mood as the town prepares to welcome as many as 100,000 visitors. The influx of traffic can make what is a normally a four-minute trip through town an hour-long ordeal. With a little back-street savvy, it is possible to avoid spending valuable shopping time watching the brake lights of the vehicle ahead of yours.

If you are coming up the Northway (I-87) from the south, you have two options – get off at exit 22 and enter Warrensburg on State Route 9 or get off the Northway at the Warrensburg exit 23 and travel East Schroon River Road to the Warren County fairgrounds.

Follow this link for details on entering town via Route 9. You can usually find private parking available – $5 to $10 per day – on River Street. The Warrensburg Fire Company also offers all-day parking next to the firehouse on Elm Street.

An advantage of this route is the increased opportunity to find bargains; the stretch of Route 9 between exit 22 and Warrensburg is usually lined with garage sales as the World’s Largest Garage Sale has expanded well beyond Warrensburg. A note of caution if you choose Bakers Crossing, it is a narrow road with a sharp bend, be aware there may be a vehicle coming from the opposite direction.

Take exit 23 if you seek free parking. A right hand turn off the exit ramp, followed by a left turn a few hundred yards down Diamond Point Road, will set you on course to the County Fairgrounds where you may park for free. A shuttle bus runs throughout the weekend to transport shoppers into the heart of the sale. Follow this link for directions.

If you are coming from the north, take Northway exit 24 and follow the Schroon River Road to the County Fairgrounds.

The sale officially begins Saturday at 9 a.m. but many sellers open for business Friday evening. The sale continues through Sunday, ending at dusk. Bring cash, wear sneakers and get into town early to fully enjoy the sales, the food and the crowd at Warrensburg’s nationally recognized event.