There was a time when Saturday was the busiest shopping day of the week in Superior. Farmers from far and wide came to town that day to do their trading and stayed late. Often store owners didn’t finish up the day’s business until sometime after midnight.

That has changed. Other days now are the busiest but that may not be true for the coming two Saturdays. Special events are planned both days that will draw shoppers to the community.

First up is the Sidewalk Sale event sponsored by the Superior Chamber of Commerce. It will be held this Saturday. Stores participating in the event, have been asked to be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wise shoppers will know to shop inside as well as on the street. After last week’s heat wave, many of the storekeepers are planning to feature in-store specials in addition to the special values that will be on the sidewalk.

In keeping with a decades old tradition, the second Saturday of August is the date picked for the semi-annual Superior Garage Sale Day. The semi-annual community-wide garage sales are held the fourth Saturday of April and the second Saturday of August.

This week’s newspaper contains the Sidewalk Sale advertising and next week’s will contain the garage sale ads.

Those hosting garage sales are asked to register with The Superior Express. For $6 they are entitled to have their sale location listed on a garage sale map, have a description of the items being offered for sale published in the paper and at multiple locations on the internet, along with a sign designating their location as a registered sale.

Shoppers are encouraged to shop only at those locations displaying the sign and to avoid the freeloaders who attempt to benefit the actions of those who registered and promoted the event.

The community garage sales are always a good time to find clothing and household items. In addition, the August sale often has included Farmers’ Market types of produce and baked goods.

When the dates for the two events were picked, the originators considered other activities like county fairs and school starting dates. But the selected dates never pleased everyone. One vocal protestor said the most important consideration should have been when the Ideal Cement Plant paydays were. He thought both sales should have been set for the day after Ideal’s payday. Another protestor didn’t like the April date and said “nobody has any money left at the end of the month.” Others have said April is often cold and a May date should have been chosen. But May is full with Mother’s Day, numerous graduations, alumni events and Memorial Day.

It seems impossible to find a date that pleases everyone. But those experienced in promotion know it is best when many participate and share in the event’s promotion. And that is what is happening with this week’s Sidewalk Sale and next week’s Community Garage Sale. Shoppers know they will have several locations to visit and sellers know they will have more shoppers visit their location because of the group effort.