Events

Children’s Thrift Sale in Kingston this Saturday April 30th

The highly anticipated 26th bi-annual Children’s Thrift Sale of Kingston will be held on  Saturday April 30 at the Thompson Drill Hall in CFB Kingston.

Considered as the largest event of its kind, the sale boasts a wide variety of gently used clothing, toys, bikes, maternity clothes, furniture, baby items and more. Products can be found for children as young as newborns to teens. There is a $2 admission fee for adults. Children under 12 are free.

The sale welcomes members of the public and military community, with an expected attendance of over 1000.

Committee Chair for the event, Renee Lupien, warns that people start lining up early to purchase big ticket items.

“You have people who want to purchase the bigger or expensive items. They line up early because they want to get good deal on those items,” said Lupien.

But when the sale opens at 8 a.m. Lupien says the line moves fast so attendees shouldn’t “use the line as a discouragement.”

A large portion of the proceeds collected from the fee registration for vendors, admission and the sale of the reusable shopping bags go back to the military community through the Kingston MFRC. Last year’s spring sale proceeds  raised $4,500 for the resource centre.

There are no business vendors at the sale. Though most of the items are gently used, with some digging you can find new items that vendors have brought in.

“Sometimes we buy things for our kids or we get presents that don’t fit or fit properly, or the children didn’t like them so you can find new clothing in their as well,” said Lupien.

It is encouraged to take a look at the Hall map before arriving so shoppers can navigate their way through the tables arranged by categories and sizes.

The sale started off with a small group of military wives in a basement in the fall of 2002. Intended to be a “mom to mom sale,” the military wives knew children quickly outgrow outfits and it becomes difficult to store through multiple postings.

“We definitely have some good bargains on really excellent clothes. We ask people to bring in quality items. It’s definitely worth a visit and it’s a great way to start your Christmas shopping early. Children’s toys are expensive. It is truly a great sale, not to be missed if you have children,” said Lupien.

This is a cash only sale and attendees are encouraged to bring their own shopping bags. However, reusable shopping bags will be available for purchase. Free parking is available at the Parade Square across from the Drill Hall.

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Mishall Rehman

Originally from Atlanta, GA, Mishall is a freelance journalist pursuing her passion for writing in her new homeland Canada. She currently lives in Trenton, ON with her husband.

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