East Hampton Town Wide Tag Sale
A community-wide day of yard sales, bargain hunting, and neighborly tradition, hosted by the Chatham Historical Society.
How the Tag Sale Works
Whether you're hunting for bargains or clearing out your own attic, here's what you need to know about the Town Wide Tag sale.
For Shoppers
- Official town maps list every participating vendor's address.
- Maps are available before the event at the East Hampton Public Library.
- Also available at East Hampton Town Hall.
- Also posted online on the Chatham Historical Society website.
For Sellers
- Must be an East Hampton resident.
- Submit a vendor registration form to the Chatham Historical Society.
- Pick up forms at Town Hall or the East Hampton Public Library.
- Or download the form online.
A Town-Wide Bargain Hunt
Our annual casual event where you can sell your used items, like clothes, furniture, and décor, often from your yard or garage, with each item marked by a price tag. It's part bargain hunt, part community gathering, part make some extra cash, part fun.
Your address will be placed on our town-wide East Hampton street map so participants know where you are located.
A Brief History of Tag Sales in America
In America, yard sales go by many names, a garage sale, a moving sale, an estate sale, a sidewalk sale, a stoop sale, a rummage sale. The name rarely says anything about where it's held, these sales flourish everywhere from small towns to cities.
A nautical term
The word "rummage" dates back to the late sixteenth century, referring to the arranging of cargo, like casks, in the hold of a ship.
The first rummage sales
After a ship put into port, unclaimed or damaged cargo was hauled out of the hold and put up for sale, a rummage sale.
Charity sales
The phrase "rummage sale" was first used in the United States for charity sales of unwanted goods, often held in parks or churches.
Raising funds for the cause
These sales became especially popular during the Civil War, allowing women, who generally didn't earn an income, to raise funds for the Union or Confederate Army.
A personal practice
Individuals began selling their own unwanted personal items. Neighbors had always traded used goods, but the practice became standardized and socially accepted.
A community tradition
East Hampton's Town-Wide Tag Sale carries that same tradition forward, a day of bargains, community, and neighborly fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about East Hampton's Town-Wide Tag Sale.
What is the East Hampton Town Wide Tag Sale?
An annual, town-wide yard sale event hosted by the Chatham Historical Society. Residents sell used items like clothes, furniture, and décor from their own yards or garages on the same day.
Is the Tag Sale held every year?
Yes, it's an annual Chatham Historical Society tradition. This year's sale was held June 20, 2026, follow our Facebook or Instagram for updates on the 2027 date.
How much does it cost to participate?
$15.00 per address or sale location.
How do I get my address on the map?
Once you register and pay the participation fee, your address is added to the town-wide East Hampton street map so shoppers know where to find you.
What can I sell?
Typical tag sale items: clothing, furniture, home décor, toys, books, and other used household goods, each marked with its own price tag.
Where does the term "tag sale" come from?
It traces back to "rummage sales" at 16th-century port cities, where unclaimed ship cargo was sold off. The tradition evolved through 19th-century charity sales into today's personal yard sales.
More East Hampton Annual Events
The Tag Sale is just one of the Chatham Historical Society's yearly traditions, explore the rest.
