This year’s annual Amherst Swap-O-Rama rummage sales in the Amherst/Nelsonville area, scheduled for May 5 and 6, will add new components, including a Boot Sale, antique appraisals, and help with online posting of items for sale.

Village Hive owner Amy Powers told the Spirit what a Boot Sale is.

“Will folks be setting out their used tennies and cowboy boots? Not exactly.

“Boot Sales originated in the UK where the ‘boot’ of the car is what Americans consider the trunk.

“For folks who might prefer not to have rummagers visiting their garage or shed over the rummage sale weekend, spots will be available on North Main Street for items to be sold from the ‘boot’ of their car or truck.”

The Boot Sale is only one day, Friday, May 5, from 1 to 8 p.m. on North Main Street. Powers added that John Street will be used if overflow is needed.

Antique curator Ken Self will be at the Opera House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 6 to offer evaluations. The suggested donation for each evaluation is $5, and all proceeds go to the Amherst Opera House ceiling restoration.

For those interested in selling their appraised items or other antiques, Amherst Opera House Administrator Tom Parker will have a lightbox set up for photographing items for online sale. Someone familiar with posting on Facebook Marketplace will be on hand to walk users through the process. (A Facebook account is required to use the sales area, so please sign up for Facebook in advance if you aren’t already a member.) Freewill donations will be accepted for this service with all proceeds also going toward fixing the Opera House ceiling.

“A festival-like atmosphere will be encouraged with live music at O’Brien’s and an open mic at the Landmark,” she said.

Powers encouraged those who want to sell their used treasures, crafters, potters, jewelry makers, artists, and textile or quilting creators to be vendors for this inaugural event.

“Who might enjoy attending the Boot Sale?” she asked. “Anyone who enjoys a bargain, unique items, or live music!”

For more information on reserving a spot on Main Street for the Boot Sale, contact Powers at thevillagehive@gmail.com. Swap-O-Rama forms are available at The Village Gift, OK Hardware, DS Amherst Ale Mart, and the Jensen Community Center. There is a section on the form to reserve a parking space on Main Street for $20 per space for the afternoon/evening.

Boot Sale patrons are asked to use caution when crossing Main Street, especially during the afternoon “traffic jam” as school lets out after 3:15 p.m.

As part of Swap-O-Rama weekend, the Amherst Opera House is offering a pair of events on Saturday, May 6; antique appraisals and help with online posting on Facebook Marketplace for those new to the service.