I can’t wait for spring. Not because of the flowers. Not because of baseball season. Not even because I won’t have to shovel snow or bundle up anymore. I can’t wait for the garage sales. And Eau Claire is a proverbial hotbed of savings. Drive down Vine, Cameron, Birch, Clairemont, or Fairfax on a nice Saturday sometime and just look at all those bright-colored signs with big arrows and illegible addresses. Gets me excited just picturing it. Any other locals sharing my affinity for rummaging know about the cabin fever that sets in during winter, so the Ramada’s ginormous sale is a sight for sore eyes indeed! This is the third year the downtown convention center has hosted the event, and about 300-400 people have stopped down in years past. For the first time in the annual event’s short history, patronage is free, which is good since thrifters are obviously looking to save some coin. As of a few weeks ago, the Ramada had about 35 booths reserved for private persons, full-time marketers, and all manner of public vendors. “We’ve got a variety of everything,” said Teresa Jorgensen, one of the event coordinators, “from everyday garage sale items to homemade crafts, Tupperware, birdhouses, furniture, and jewelry.”

    The Largest Garage Sale in Eau Claire • Feb. 21-22 • Ramada Convention Center, 205 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire • 8 am to 2 pm • FREE • 855-0870 • www.ramadaeauclaire.com