Junior League preps for Bargain Carousel at Hoover shopping center

Think of it as a garage sale on steroids.

The Junior League of Birmingham is preparing to host its 27th annual Bargain Carousel shopping fundraiser at the former Winn-Dixie shopping center, off Alabama 150 in Hoover, on April 25, 27 and 28.

The event is expected to feature more than 100,000 items donated from families and businesses across the Birmingham-Hoover metro area. The main part of the sale is in the former Winn-Dixie grocery space, but there is so much stuff that it takes up the entire shopping center.

Items typically are divided into sections such as art, appliances, furniture, heirloom items, baby and children’s clothing and furnishings, home decor, outdoors and sporting goods.

Proceeds help support the Junior League’s 38 community projects, including a diaper bank, a mobile food pantry, personal finance education and programs that aid the homeless and victims of domestic violence and human trafficking.

The sale kicks off with a Bargain Bash event at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 25. Tickets cost $40 and give guests a first chance to buy merchandise and enjoy food and entertainment. All merchandise sells for double the ticket price during the Bargain Bash.

Tickets for Saturday admission go on sale Friday, April 26, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Bargain Carousel space. The cost is $10 for Saturday entry between 8 a.m. and noon and $5 from noon to 5 p.m. Shoppers get ticket numbers and enter in order of those numbers. Tickets also are sold at the door Saturday.

Admission on Sunday is free, and all merchandise is half price. Organizers also ask people who attend Sunday to donate diapers and/or wipes. Sunday hours are 1-5 p.m.

Last year’s Bargain Carousel drew about 3,000 people and raised about $121,000, said Stacey Summerville, marketing chairwoman for the event. This year’s goal is $125,000, she said.

For more information, call 879-9861 or visit bargaincarousel.net.

This article was updated on April 9 to correct the dates of the Bargain Carousel to April 25, 27 and 28.