Despite being in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, a few homeowners in the Lehighton area decided to host yard sales this past weekend.

Adreanna Eickhoff was one of many yard sale hosts in the Lehighton area this weekend, holding a multifamily yard sale Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to sundown.

All clothing and items were washed and disinfected prior to being sold and hand sanitizer was provided at checkout to prevent spread of the virus.

With advertisements placed around Lehighton, as well as media outlets and social media, the yard sale had a great turnout on its opening day Friday.

Eickhoff said the turnout was about the same or even bigger than a yard sale held two year ago, prior to COVID-19.

However, she said that this increased turnout may be a result of advertising at a newly built Dollar General which was not in the area two years ago.

Since the event was held outside, mask usage and social distancing was encouraged yet not required for customers. According to Eickhoff, most customers wore their masks and socially distanced, despite it being their choice.

“I put a sign up saying that it’s up to you if you want to wear your mask or not. Most people have been staying away (socially distancing) until they’re ready to come up (checkout) and a lot of people have their masks on,” Eickhoff said.

Melissa Snyder held a yard sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday on Ninth Street in Lehighton.

Similarly to Eickhoff’s yard sale, some of the items sold at Snyder’s yard sale included clothing (for both adults and children), household items, and furniture at discounted prices. All items were properly washed and disinfected beforehand as well.

Snyder said that most people were socially distancing and wearing masks despite the yard sale taking place outdoors.

Snyder commented that she was having a pretty good turnout of customers, even as early as 8 a.m.

When asked if she had seen a difference between turnout before and after the pandemic she said, “I’ve done yard sales in the past, but the last one I’ve done was three years ago. To be honest with you, I’ve seen just about as many people (today) as I’ve seen before.”

Despite circumstances surrounding COVID-19, It seems that yard sale customers in Lehighton are serious when it comes to great weekend bargains.