It’s time to open up the hatches and bring anything seaworthy to sell at the Maritime Museum of B.C.’s annual Massive Marine Garage Sale.
Volunteer and sale co-ordinator Ann Jones is excited to see what vendors bring in April 20 for this year’s 10th annual museum fundraiser.
“Sailboats on trailers, dinghies, kayaks, engines – anything to do with boating,” she said. “We even get cutlery and china.”
While the sale’s primary goal is to raise money for the Maritime Museum, it has become something of a “staple in the boaters’ world,” Jones said.
In past years, the garage sale has brought in amounts as large as $12,000 for the museum to use for programming, exhibits, maintenance and a variety of other projects.
Upwards of 800 people come down each year to see what items are up for grabs. Often, Jones said, vendors themselves take home as much as they bring.
Most of the merchandise appears on sale day. One of the most interesting items Jones has seen in recent years is a boat called a ‘Pixie,’ which was donated to the museum for this year’s event. The small rowboats were made in the 1950’s in England and came with two paddles and removable seats and also come apart in the middle to store on deck. At just over three meters long the boat is extremely lightweight and manageable.
The Pixie will probably be sold in a silent auction due to its rarity, Jones said.
The Marine Garage Sale will be hosted at the Pier A warehouse building at Ogden Point on Dallas Road, on April 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Parking is free, but a $5 entrance fee for adults applies.
For information about donations or to register as a vendor, visit the museum’s website at mmbc.bc.ca.
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