Dig up secondhand treasures at the Blue and Gold Mine Sale this Saturday, May 16, 2026.
Vintage shops and events are popping up all over, and thrifting keeps growing in popularity. Traci Knabenshue has seen it over the 20 years that she’s helped organize the giant annual college move-out sale known as the Blue and Gold Mine Sale. “Especially the last five years,” she says.
“Mega” may be more accurate. “We typically have about 25 tons of goods, and we believe it’s one of the largest rummage sales in the state,” says Knabenshue. She’s the director of sustainability for Facilities Operations at WVU, and this event promotes sustainability by encouraging re-use and reducing waste.
At this Saturday’s sale at Milan Puskar Stadium’s East Concourse, shoppers eager to get the first look can purchase early bird tickets for $5, granting access from 7 to 9 a.m. These shoppers have been known to arrive more than an hour early, with lines of 600 to 800 forming before doors open. In the past, early birds have scored items like:
- Side tables and chests of drawers
- Kitchenware and china sets
- Electronics and PC towers
- Mini fridges
“We have had some rare and valuable books donated that folks purchased from us and then resold on auction sites,” Knabenshue shared.
General admission, offering free entry to all, runs 9 a.m. to noon. After a brief closing period, the sale reopens from 3 to 5 p.m., and all items are marked at $1. At the end of the day, any unsold items are distributed to partner organizations and nonprofits.
Beyond sustainability, the sale also serves as a fundraising effort. Proceeds support the annual campaign for the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties, helping advance its initiatives of health, education, financial stability, and access to basic needs in the community.
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