Thorold's Community Wide Garage Sale

Coming FROM America?

Please reach us at ThoroldCommunityWideGarageSale@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

Is it easy to get there?

The Lewiston–Queenston bridge generally lines up nicely with Thorold, while the Peace Bridge may be better from central or south Buffalo. The Whirlpool Bridge is reserved for NEXUS travellers, so don’t accidentally join a club you’re not in. Check the live bridge conditions before leaving.

Is this one enormous garage sale?

Even better—it’s a citywide treasure hunt with more than 100 sellers scattered across Thorold. The sale runs Saturday, September 12th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and admission is free. Official event information

Is it true your gas is $1.89 a gallon?

Actually Canada sells gas by the litre. One gallon of gas is 3.79 litres so a gallon will run you around 7 bucks Canadian ($5 bucks US Dollars)

Can I get a Canadian speed-limit cheat sheet

40 km/h = 25 mph
50 km/h = 31 mph
60 km/h = 37 mph
80 km/h = 50 mph
100 km/h = 62 mph
110 km/h = 68 mph

If something costs $7.98, why might I pay $8.00?

Canada stopped producing pennies in 2012 and distributing them in 2013. Cash totals are normally rounded to the nearest five cents. Debit and credit transactions are still charged to the exact cent. At a garage sale, however, anyone pricing things at $7.98 should probably be asked what retail chain they escaped from. Government of Canada rounding rules

What time should I arrive?

The sale begins at 8 a.m., and serious bargain hunters do not sleep in. Allow extra time for the border—the perfect patio set will not politely wait while you sit on the bridge.

Will sellers accept U.S. dollars?

Some might, but don’t count on it or expect a bank-quality exchange rate. Bring Canadian cash in small bills, plus loonies and toonies. Your sparkling personality is appreciated, but it is not legal tender.

Where exactly is the sale? “Thorold” isn’t much of an address.

Correct—it’s spread across the city. Use the interactive map on the event website to preview sales and plan your route. Free printed maps will also be available at 44 Clairmont Street, and the downloadable PDF is scheduled for September 10th. View the official map information

What if the weather turns aggressively Canadian?

The official rain date is Sunday, September 13th, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. A little drizzle may improve your negotiating position, but a downpour activates Plan B. Event FAQ

Cannabis is legal in New York and Ontario. Can it cross the border?

Absolutely not. Do not carry marijuana or cannabis products across the international border in either direction. The border is its own boss. Buffalo CBP travel guidance

What belongs in the official bargain-hunting survival kit?

An empty trunk, Canadian cash, reusable bags, a tape measure, phone charger, water and a screenshot of your planned route. Check your roaming plan and bridge conditions—and leave the golf clubs at home. You’re going to need that cargo space.

Do I really need a passport just to buy someone’s vintage fondue set?

Yes. Bring a valid U.S. passport, passport card or NEXUS card. “But the fondue pot was only four dollars” is not an internationally recognized travel document. U.S. entry information for Canada

Will tariffs turn my $5 Canadian toaster into a $55 toaster?

No automatic “Canadian garage-sale tariff” is added at the bridge. For a same-day trip, an eligible U.S. returning resident can generally bring back up to $200 USD in personal or household purchases duty-free—but everything must still be declared. U.S. personal-exemption regulations

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at thoroldcommunitywidegaragesale@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

What is Thorold's Community Wide Garage Sale?

It's only the best Community Wide event in the province with more than 125 homes and businesses throughout the community participating. This is the 23rd year!

I live in Port Robinson, can i participate?

Even though the Steelton brought down bridge 12 in August '74, Port Robinson is and always will be a part of Thorold (at least since 1970 anyway) and this event!

Where can I find the printed maps?

600 free printed maps with the addresses of all of the participating vendors will be available for pickup at the following locations:

44 Clairmont Street

47 Clairemont Street

Chef & Bub on Front Street

Penny's Kitchen Front Street and other locations to be announced!

You can also print your own! A pdf version will be available here September 10th, 2026

Can I upload photos to the map?

Great question! You can absolutely upload photos to the map to show everyone what you are selling! You can upload as many as you would like, however we will only post the first 10.

I live outside of Thorold, can I participate?

We're very sorry to hear that, Thorold is a wonderful place to live and work. While you can't register your address, we would love to see you at the event!

Does it cost anything to register my garage sale?

Participating in Thorold's Community Wide Garage Sale has always been free and will always be free!

Why are you asking for sponsors this year, did you sell out to the man?

NO Big Garage Sale hasn't got us. Hosting a website, printing flyers and buying ads on facebook aren't free. We are asking any Thorold businesses that would like to have their information on the map along with logos on our website and on the printed colour maps that get distributed to step up. ALL money will be used to cover marketing and promotion this year and into the next. In kind donations such as printing of flyers, digital sign space and other marketing resources would be happily accepted. The website has about 300 unique views daily leading up to the sale and several thousand unique views on the day of the event and the map gets upwards of 15,000 views the day of the sale.

But I don't have a garage, can I still participate?

The Thorold Community Wide Garage Sale is for all residents of Thorold, whether you have a garage, driveway, yard, porch or stoop you can feel free to join in the fun, get together with your neighbours and make it fun! Please just be sure to set up in a safe and legal location!

Is there a rain date?

Sunday September 13th, 2026, 8 am to 1 pm

23rd Annual Thorold Community Wide Garage Sale

Pick up Printed Maps SATURDAY!

Printable Downloads

Download Map

Download Map

Download Map

Address List

Download Map

Download Map

Poster

Download Map

Poster

We missed a few!

Southern Ontario's Biggest Treasure Hunt Returns Saturday, September 12th.

SOUTHERN ONTARIO'S BIGGEST TREASURE HUNT

It’s a wrap!

Online Map

Coming FROM America?

Tips for a Great Garage Sale

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Sponsors

Proudly Sponsored by the City of Thorold !

Thanks

Thanks to Print Three Thorold!

Frequently Asked Questions

Thorold's Community Wide Garage Sale : IN THE NEWS

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Where it all began

The Backstory

Events

12/09/2026

23rd Annual Community Wide Garage Sale

8am

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1pm

12/09/2026

23rd Annual Community Wide Garage Sale

8am

-

1pm

12/09/2026

Shop Historic Downtown Thorold

12/09/2026

Shop Historic Downtown Thorold

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Thorold's Community Wide Garage Sale

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