The first annual “Sales Along 84” was a huge success. It not only provided an opportunity for residents, churches, schools, clubs, businesses, and organizations to gather and sale items; it brought shoppers from all over to Catahoula Parish.
The sale spread from Winn Parish through Lasalle, Catahoula and Concordia with yellow balloons to guide the way. Yard sales, antiques, collectibles, fund raisers, and food vendors were spread out down Highway 84.
Catahoula Parish Coordinator Rhonda Williams stated, “We had a wonderful turn out with just five weeks to work on this event. People came from all over. Our first group of visitors came from Vidalia and St Francisville. Several folks said, my video of our little Canton or Round Top Texas drew them in.
I’m so thankful they all came out and hope they will come back for years to come. I’ve had so many locals tell me, ‘Jonesville needed this’; ‘It feels good for our community to come together’ ‘It was so good to see life brought back into our community’; ‘It was so nice seeing people laugh and hearing the joy in our town’; ‘They got to see and visit with people they haven’t saw in years’; ‘It feels good to look forward to something again’; and ‘They can’t wait until next year’.
That is where my true joy came from and made weeks of hard work worth it a thousand times over. As Lavelle Evans said, “I wish we were doing it all over again and can’t wait until next year.”