Bargains abound at the Zoar Wetland garage sale June 20-21
Proceeds from the annual sale, memberships and additional donations throughout the year help maintain the Zoar Wetland and lake and make improvements to attract new visitors year round.
The annual Zoar Wetland garage sale has traditionally offered treasures from the practical to the simply beautiful at rock bottom prices, and this year promises to be no different.
The sale will take place at the wetland’s pavilion Friday, June 20 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, June 21 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s located at 434 W. Fifth St. in Zoar, just behind the Zoar Levee.
Sherrie Baughman, president and treasurer for the Zoar Wetland, described a few of the items already donated for the sale.
“We’ve got a really cool retro bike that’s kind of like a beach bike, an old wooden school desk and a nice curio cabinet,” Baughman said. “We’ve also got a car-top bike rack, old cookbooks, children’s books, Christmas decorations, and our usual variety of kitchen and household items.”
Some items of note include a brand-new Shindaiwa gas-powered weed eater, outdoor furniture, two household steam cleaners and old Ball brand blue canning jars. Additional items are expected to arrive in the coming week.
Baughman said the sale is the biggest fundraiser each year for the Zoar Wetland and that all proceeds benefit the nonprofit organization.
In the past the sale has included a raffle for large item like a kayak. This year several raffles will be held to allow more shoppers a chance to win.
“This approach was very popular last year, so we are bringing it back,” Baughman said.
Prizes include gift certificates from the Terra Depot flower and gift shop and the Zoar Market, free tickets to this year’s Historic Zoar Village events such as Christmas in Zoar and the Antiques and Artisans Show, and a wooden cutting board hand carved by Zoar area artisan George Watson.
Raffle winners do not need to be present for the drawing, which will take place late on Saturday.
Why support is needed
Proceeds from the annual sale, memberships and additional donations throughout the year help maintain the Zoar Wetland and lake and make improvements to attract new visitors year round.
Baughman said the lake had to be restocked with fish this year following last summer’s drought.
“We added 500 fish in five varieties earlier this year, so those will be growing and reproducing later this year,” she said.
According to Baughman, the varieties of fish added to the lake are bluegill, black crappies, a hybrid blue gill and redear shellcrackers. A number of large-mouth bass were added last year.
“We also have catfish and carp in the lake, and every once in a while, someone will catch a bowfin,” Baughman said. “Those are almost a prehistoric fish that actually have teeth.”
Beyond keeping visiting fishermen happy, Baughman said keeping the lake stocked is important in attracting the bird species that hunt and eat fish.
“When we lost fish last fall because of the drought, we didn’t have a lot of the birds coming here that usually do — the egrets, eagles and osprey,” Baughman said. “Now those birds are coming back.”
Besides making for a more balanced ecosystem, the return of the fishing birds also attracts birdwatchers.
In 2024 a new kayak launch and extended boat dock were added with grant funds from the Rosenberry Foundation, and a shoreline bench was purchased to provide more comfortable fishing from the lake shore.
New trail signs also were erected, and the once-narrow drive leading from the top of the Zoar Levee to the wetland area was widened.
The wetland offers memberships and rents out the pavilion, which is equipped with electricity and running water, for weddings, private parties and other events. Fishing the lake is free, but kayaking and canoeing are for members only.
The wetland is open to the public year round from dawn to dusk. Visit www.zoarwetland.org or Facebook.