100 miles of bargain shopping

The four-day, 100-Mile Garage Sale began Wednesday as bargain hunters began scouring 15 historic towns along the Mississippi River.

The annual event includes garage sales stretching from Hastings to Winona along U.S. Highway 61, with thousands of potential stops along the way in Red Wing, Lake City, Wabasha and other spots. Similar events are planned on the Wisconsin side of the river between Fountain City and Prescott.

"While there are no maps indicating the exact location of the individual sales, they are very easy to find and are identified by signage and pink balloons or ribbons," says a statement posted on the event's website, www.100milegaragesale.org.

Many visitors plan a full weekend around the event.

The event is sponsored by Mississippi Valley Partners.

1/2: Marilyn and Jerry Heroff, of St. Paul, look over garage sale items at a home in Lake City. It was one of many such stops for the Heroffs as they made their way down the river during the 100-Mile Garage Sale.

2/2: garage sale sign