The Wetumpka Herald Online

Antique Trail draws shoppers

Diana Surles looks at an item offered for sale at Brett Roach’s booth in Wetumpka on the Antique Trail. -- Herald Photo/Peggy Blackburn

By Peggy Blackburn - Managing Editor

Visitors were out early Saturday, browsing among the offerings at booths set up in Wetumpka as part of the second annual Alabama Highway 14 Antique Trail.

Ken and Diana Surles of Prattville were two of the people who dropped by to check out the items that were available.

“We didn’t come out for it last year, but we thought we would look around this time,” said Diana Surles.

Brett Roach of Pine Level was one of the exhibitors.

“I set up at different places and this seemed like a good opportunity,” he said.

Chris Pickron of Slapout was another of the vendors on hand. Jeremy Roy of Montgomery helped Pickron at the booth filled with towels, flags, necklaces, hats, knives, antique walking sticks and more.

“I’m a truck driver and I’d really like to get off the road,” Pickron said. “I’ve been going to Santuck and places like that, and this seemed like another good place to be.

“I hope to be able to get a permanent location soon and go into business,” he continued. “I’m getting a shirt press, so I’ll be doing those. I just haven’t decided yet where I’ll open my business. It could be Wetumpka, Millbrook or Prattville.”

Four local cities were included in the communities participating in the trail. The event, initiated by the Eutaw Area Chamber of Commerce in 2006, was inspired by the “world’s longest yard sale” that spans about 630 miles on U.S. Highway 127 through five states.

The Alabama trail stretched from the Alabama-Georgia state line to the Alabama-Mississippi line n a distance of about 200 miles.

Wetumpka, Tallassee, Mill--brook and Prattville were all stops along the way.

“We committed to support the project,” said Jan Wood, executive director of the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce. “It seemed like a good way to draw tourists to our area.”

In Wetumpka, vendors were able to set up across the street from Wetumpka High School. There was no charge for exhibitors, and no admission fee.