The Big Sky Community Organization hosted its first valley-wide garage sale Saturday at the Town Center parking lot. Organizers hoped the event would foster connection between the area’s longtime residents and newer arrivals.

Instead, the sale naturally sorted itself into two distinct sections. On the north end, folding tables displayed lightly used Patagonia jackets, barely worn ski boots, and kitchen appliances still in original packaging. On the south end, tables held well-loved Carhartt jackets, assorted Tupperware, and a 1998 Subaru Outback with 240,000 miles listed as “runs good, burns a little oil.”

“I priced this espresso machine at twelve hundred because that’s what I paid,” said Bryce Vanderholt, 34, who moved to Spanish Peaks in 2021. “The lady next to me asked if I’d take three dollars for a box of mismatched socket wrenches. Different markets, I guess.”

Marlene Haskins, 67, who bought her Meadow Village condo in 1989 for what she describes as “a reasonable number,” sold a set of cast iron skillets and a working chainsaw within the first hour. “Young couple from the Yellowstone Club bought the skillets. Nice kids. Paid cash. Didn’t even haggle.”

The event’s organizer, Tammy Ortiz of the Community Organization, noted that both sections sold out by noon. “We had a guy trying to sell a timeshare presentation voucher for five thousand dollars. And a woman selling homemade rhubarb jam for four dollars a jar. Both found buyers.”

A proposed community potluck following the sale was canceled when the planning committee could not agree on whether “salad” referred to a composed arugula situation with shaved fennel or a bowl of potato and mayonnaise.

The Community Organization has scheduled a debrief for next Tuesday at the library. Two separate meeting rooms have been reserved.