Treasures Await at 88th Annual White Elephant Sale, July 10 & 11

OLD LYME, CT – Shoppers in search of bargains, collectibles and one-of-a-kind finds will have plenty to explore when the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme (FCCOL) hosts its 88th Annual White Elephant Sale on Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11.

The sale will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday and from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday.

For those looking to donate items to the sale, time is running out. The last intake session will be held Thursday, July 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 2 Ferry Road.

Described by organizers as one of the area’s premier tag-sale events, the longtime community tradition is run by the church’s Benevolent Society to raise funds for church ministries and charitable causes.

FCCOL Senior Minister Steve Jungkeit in a news release called the event a “grand local tradition.”

“It’s widely considered to be the sale to beat all garage and rummage sales … an event that many people plan their summer around that raises funds for charities across our area and around the world,” he said.

The sale typically features thousands of donated items, including antiques, artwork, books, bicycles, collectibles, furniture, jewelry, kitchenware, musical instruments, sporting goods, tools, toys, watercraft and more.

Organizers note that shoppers often begin lining up before opening time on Friday morning, waiting outside the ropes surrounding the church grounds until the sale begins at 9 a.m. The event continues Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon, when many remaining items are offered at half price.

The sale will be held rain or shine.

More information about the White Elephant Sale, including donation guidelines and accepted items, is available online.