As you drive on Route 7 through Wilton either the first weekend in October or the first weekend in May, you will see a lot of activity under some very large white tents next to the Wilton High School tennis courts. The semi-annual Minks to Sinks Sale has become an institution not just for residents of Fairfield County, but also for people who live out of State and make the semi-annual trek to Wilton to shop for deals on everything from kitchen and household items, to gardening and sports equipment, furniture, kids toys, electronics, lamps, artwork, clothing and so much more.
This event offers treasures and bargains on items for the entire family. Antique dealers also frequent the sale, which can be a great source for desirable collectible items. Minks to Sinks has been supporting “recycling and reusing” years before the phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle” became an environmental mantra.
Minks to Sinks had it’s first rummage sale in 1931 to benefit the Nursing Association’s Well Child Program. The name Minks to Sinks was coined in 1952, when a volunteer at a rummage sale meeting brought along a mink coat to donate to the sale. Someone else had donated a sink, and another volunteer suggested that they name the sale, “Minks to Sinks.” Since then, the sale has always included at least one mink and at least one sink. The early sales didn’t have a permanent location.
They were held at Wilton Town Hall, the Grange, the Wilton Playshop, among other various locations in Wilton. In the 1960’s the sale moved to the grounds of the Community Park, now the site of the Wilton YMCA. In 1971, Minks to Sinks found its permanent home, adjacent to the tennis courts at the intersection of Route 7 (Danbury Road) and School Road. The proceeds of Minks to Sinks benefit Family and Children’s Agency, the Norwalk-based non-profit organization that offers many important programs to help families in need.
The Minks to Sinks organization is staffed by more than 160 volunteers from the community of Wilton. Many of these women have been giving their time for many years, proudly I have been volunteering for over 25 years! During the semi-annual sales (October and May) volunteers like myself work to price, ticket, organize and display thousands of items that are donated or consigned for the sale. We work day after day through all kinds of weather preparing for and hosting the giant rummage sale. It’s definitely worth a visit, especially if you enjoy hunting for “treasure.”
