About 80 families will set up shop in the Maine Township Town Hall parking lot on Saturday, Sept. 19, when the township's Community Garage Sale hits its 20th anniversary.

The sale runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine, at 1700 Ballard Rd. in Park Ridge. Between 1,000 and 1,500 shoppers are expected to browse everything from furniture to kids' clothes, according to Journal & Topics.

Proceeds benefit the Adventure Maine Township Summer Camp, a program that gives income-eligible children ages 8 to 13 access to safe, educational summer experiences. The camp has been run by the township's MaineStay Youth & Family Services Department since 2004.

Emily Toomey, MaineStay's youth program coordinator, has led the garage sale for at least four years. Maine Township won a 2025 CivicPlus Community Impact Award for modernizing the sale's registration system, a project Toomey spearheaded, according to [township board minutes](https://mainetown.com/Document Center/Agenda & Minutes/2025/Minutes/minutes_25-11-25.pdf).

Township administrator Victoria Rizzo encouraged residents to attend in her report to the board at the July 28 meeting, noting the sale supports the MaineStay summer camp program.

Last year's edition drew crowds despite a rainy start. Spots fill fast.

What shoppers get

Free coffee, courtesy of Township Supervisor Kimberly Jones. Breakfast and lunch items available for purchase. Shoppers can also register to win a child's bicycle.

Vendor spaces

Spots are first-come, first-served and consistently sell out:

  • Standard outdoor space (8-by-16-foot): $30
  • Premium outdoor space (8-by-16-foot, with extra grassy area): $35
  • Table rental: $10 in advance, $20 day-of

Vendors can reserve and pay online at mainetown.com/garagesale by credit card, debit card or eCheck with no processing fees. All sales are final. To ask questions or reserve by phone, contact Emily Toomey at 847-297-2510, ext. 272, or [email protected].

How to get involved

Residents who don't plan to sell can become a sponsor (details at mainetown.com/sponsor), make a financial donation or simply show up to shop.

This year's sponsors include Journal & Topics Media Group, state Sen. Laura Murphy, state Reps. Michelle Mussman and Justin Cochran, Flood Brothers, Center for Discovery and Parkway Bank.

Upcoming

The next Maine Township Board meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 29.