SEAVIEW – Dig out those antique items that have been collecting dust, sort out your junk drawer, and move the pile of clothes hanging from that abandoned treadmill, this weekend locals and visitors alike will be scouring the area for good deals on other people’s stuff. The Memorial Day Weekend garage sale extravaganza is on its way.

Whether you’re looking for household items for your beach house or a unique piece to add to your ashtray collection, households up and down our Peninsula have goods to sell.

The Felder sisters – Susi, Darlene and Nancy – are of no exception. Now in their third year of Memorial Day Weekend garage sale madness, the three ladies say they have plenty of great things that just have to go.

Children of thrifty, depression-era parents, the sisters remember their mom taking them to the Goodwill, letting them loose to find bargains and treasures while their dad caught up on some uninterrupted sleep at home.

Now in their adult years, the sisters are still perfecting their shopping skills. Susi, a former event planner, holds a place in her heart for vintage items. Darlene, a retired elementary special education teacher, has dozens of fun toys and books. Nancy, a costume maker, says she has more fabrics than she needs.

At their 2008 six-family garage sale, people may remember the three outgoing ladies and their funny hats. This year the sisters plan to wear tiaras and matching crazy quilt patterned aprons.

“We really make it fun and upbeat, it’s a family event,” Susi explains.

“People are still talking about last year’s sale,” Nancy adds. “We had people that came back six times!”

With nifty merchandise ready for display under a 10-foot by 20-foot tent, and four 10-foot by 10-foot canopies, the Felder event is more like a patio-yard-driveway-garage sale.

For the past month, the sisters and their friends have been sorting and pricing vintage items, art, pottery, linens, screen print tablecloths, embroidery, vintage hankies and aprons, fabric, German dirndl dresses and east Indian clothing, handmade cards, various ephemera, old photos and books, toys, children’s books, quality clothing and costumes, prom dresses, assorted hats, purses, jewelry, movies, housewares, jigsaw puzzles and “guys’ stuff.”

Their “princess department” will be stocked with sugar, spice and everything nice – brightly colored fairy dresses, tutus and tiaras. Looking for dog coats? Stop by their “pet boutique” section.

Even the fourth generation of the Felder family is learning the ropes of making a deal. Nancy’s 12-year-old son will be back again this year to sell Starbucks brand coffee and handcrafted cat toys. Armed with an oven mitt and a spatula, her 17-year-old son will be selling freshly baked cookies straight from the oven.

Check out their furoshiki display to learn how to wrap gifts beautifully with vintage handkerchiefs, which they will be selling for $1 each.

“It’s cheaper than gift bags and gift wrap,” says Susi.

“And the scarf is a gift, and it’s reusable!” notes Nancy.

Susi says any items leftover from the five-day sale (Thursday through Monday) will be donated to Golden Sands, and the ReachOut and Glass Dragonfly thrift stores.

One of hundreds of sales scheduled this weekend, the Felder sisters’ sale will be on 41st Street in Seaview, rain or shine. It’s easy to find – just follow the bright green signs and look for the colorful, triangle fabric flags and big white tents.