The Tabor House Giant Tag Sale runs from July 16-18.

By Katie Cavanaugh

“Main Street” is the main section of the tag sale. Photo by Katie Cavanaugh.

Set up for the Tabor House Giant Tag Sale is well underway, and volunteers are ready for Thursday’s wine and cheese opening as well as the Friday and Saturday sale days.

All proceeds go directly to the Tabor House HIV/AIDS residence program.

The 21-year-old event was started by Loretta Dyson in 1993 in honor of her son, Bill Dyson, who died from AIDS in 1989. The event is now run by Loretta’s other son, David Dyson.

“This is the biggest tag sale in Connecticut,” said David. “It’s supporting a great cause while the neighborhood gets bargains.”

There is no shortage of items to be bought or fun to be had. There are tables full of plates, electronics, vases, luggage, Christmas decorations, vases, baskets, pianos, paintings, jewelry, purses, and much more. All of the items that are left over after the tag sale has concluded on Saturday will be donated to the Sacred Heart Church.

There are three sections to the tag sale. There is an outdoor section full of items that can withstand potential rain. Inside, there are two sections referred to as “Main Street” and the “Boutique.”

In the “Main Street” section, people can fill up boxes full of unmarked items, and volunteers will give them a price per box.

Items in the “Boutique” side of the tag sale are pre-priced because of their unique or expensive nature. These items run from $2 to $250.

The tag sale has hundreds of volunteers each year. Many come back year after year. Some are newly recruited by David.

Eliza Wizner, a rising sophomore at Northwest Catholic High School, is one of the new volunteers. “For our sophomore year at Northwest Catholic we need to do 30 hours of community service,” said Wizner. “David gave a talk at school, and the way he talked about how everyone who volunteers chips in made it sound like a good option for a community service project.”

Wizner said the other volunteers’ passion and enthusiasm has proved to her she made the right choice. “These aren’t people who are being forced to be here. They want to help the cause.”

Barbara Perrone has been volunteering at the Tabor House Tag Sale for two years. “I had no idea it would be this busy, but I really love it,” said Perrone.

She continues to come back because she knows what a positive impact the event has on those in need. “There’s absolutely everything you could want, and it’s almost a gift,” said Perrone. “There are ordinary things you need to make a life livable, and they’re almost free.”

The Tabor House Giant Tag Sale is an honored West Hartford tradition, located at the Convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph, 27 Park Rd . It begins on Thursday, July 16, with a wine and cheese opening from 5 to 8 p.m. There is a $10 entrance fee for the Thursday night event.

On Friday, July 17, the tag sale will run from noon to 6 p.m. with a bake sale and a $1 entrance fee. Saturday, July 18, tag sale will be open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and admission will be free.

For more details about the history of the event, please click here.

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The “Boutique”. Photo by Katie Cavanaugh.

Table full of household items for sale. Photo by Katie Cavanaugh.

Items for sale at the Tabor House Tag Sale. Photo by Katie Cavanaugh.

Weather-proof items are part of the outdoor selection at the Tabor House Tag Sale. Photo by Katie Cavanaugh.