"The event last September was great," Everett said. "All the vendors did well." But that was mainly in Live Oak, located about three hours east of Marianna on U.S. 90 and near I-10. Everett has teamed up with the Downtown Partnership for revitalization and the Live Oak Tourist Development Council. They envision participating yard sales on April 13, 14 and 15 (the weekend after Easter) stretching in parts along U.S. 90 all the way to Pensacola. He then wants to follow that up with another Flea Across Florida on September 14, 15 and 16.

"We want to help as many people and businesses as possible increase their income and increase traffic in every community on Highway 90," Barney says. People who are interested in holding their yard sales and participating can buy colorful "Flea Across Florida" banners and a place on the website to attract more customers. For more info, call Barney at 386-364-1006. The website is www.fleaacrossflorida.com

Barney explained that his idea is patterned after an event that takes place yearly called "the Longest Yard Sale" which goes along Highway 129 from Gadsden, Ala., to Michigan. "If our project grows," Barney said, "tourists will be driving along U.S. 90 in towns they didn't even know existed. There is a historic quality to old Highway 90. Tourists and buyers could find rare items, you never know. For added publicity, we are advertising in antique sales publications and on the internet. This thing could be big someday." Barney said he regretted that he could not get Main Street Marianna or the chamber of commerce interested in the project this week. "They couldn't see the vision," he said.