The Best Treasure Hunt in Town

The hearts of bargain-hunters beat a bit faster when they see the white tents go up on the lawn near Wilton High School along Route 7.

They know that, the following week, under that tent, amazing deals can be had at the Minks to Sinks sale. The sale, which has been a Wilton tradition for over 50 years, happens twice a year, in the spring and the fall.

The sale begins this weekend and the rented tent goes up the week before in order to accept donations and organize what is brought in. What gets accepted and what doesn't, you may ask? Well, a rule of thumb, according to the group's contact person Joyce Cain, is that "if it can't be lifted by two women, we won't take it!"

Interestingly enough, the sale is pretty specific about what it won't accept, including office furniture, TV sets with dials, sofas, condensed books or test books, stuffed toys, car top carriers and walkers, to name a few.

Certain items, such as furniture, can be consigned and half of the sale price goes back to the consignee, but after Saturday, all proceeds benefit charity. The money collected goes to benefit the Family & Children's Agency of Norwalk (FCA).

They bill themselves as "the biggest treasure hunt in town." And indeed it is. Whether your passion is vintage fashion, home decor, musical instruments or anything else, you can find it here.

The Minks to Sinks group boasts over 150 Wilton women as members, which also includes an executive board. Men are not allowed to be members, though many volunteer their time during the week leading up to the sale. Members must be residents of Wilton and nominated and seconded by current members.

Though Cain isn't positive where the name of the famed sale comes from, she did note that, "we always have at least one mink and at least one sink!"

She also mentioned that, "the women work very hard and a lot of it is down and dirty work. It's true what's one person's trash is another person's treasure!"

The sale runs Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and a line often forms early on the first day. Sunday's hours are noon until 4 p.m. and everything is half-price. Stop by on Monday between 9 a.m. and noon when you can opt to pay half-price or fill a bag with treasures for a special flat rate.