Sell out
Preston Street garage sale in its sixth year
Popular event unites community, shows off neighborhood
Bargain hunters are expected to turn out in droves June 6- 7 for the sixth annual Preston Street Garage Sale.
Event organizers Jim and Judy Ferguson have already begun fielding calls from residents in other neighborhoods who would like to take part in the event.
“This thing really takes on a life of its own and we have been talking to people for the last few weeks who don’t live in the historic district but who still want to participate,” Jim Ferguson said. “It is encouraging to have so many people willing to participate, it not only makes the event grow but it also allows our neighborhood to get to know more people from other areas.”
The idea for the neighborhood sale came from ‘Antique Alley,’ a Johnson County event that features a roadside sale stretching for more than 25 miles. The Fergusons loved the idea of seeing the town come together and wanted to try an event in Ennis modeled on it.
“We wanted to see the whole community get involved but it takes some time for things to catch on, so we started in our own neighborhood and are going from there,” he said. “Not only is it nice to see new faces and have the opportunity to catch up with more familiar ones, it’s an excellent time to scoop up some bargains,” he said.
The event has been a successful experiment in not only bringing people together but showcasing the Templeton-McCanless Historic District’s beautiful homes, which include not only the namesake structures located on W. Tyler and Preston streets but others like the Telfair and Atwood homes, each dating to the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Fergusons’ driveway is usually full of people who come to shop and stay to chat, and they encourage others to drop by and say hello on their quest for treasures.
“We really enjoy having the opportunity to speak to people,” he said. “The only problem I have is that when we have so many people coming to chat and visit, my wife won’t let me leave to go shopping myself!”
The annual Preston Street Garage Sale begins at 8 a.m. both days (June 6-7) and will run “rain or shine,” the Fergusons insist.
Candie Beck-Adams is community editor for the Ennis Daily News. She can be reached at candie@ennisdailynews.com.






