May 10, 2008
Bird and bunny sale
Two Saturdays a month, a group of about 12 trucks gathers at the intersection of Vickers Switch and Peppers Ferry roads in Montgomery County for a fowl and rabbit sale.
This is the third selling season, said Don Smawley, event coordinator. A season runs from April to October. The sale is held the first and third Saturdays of each month during the season. The sales stem from the old system of bartering at market, but over time developed into a tailgate sale, he said.
“The most [sellers] we’ve had is 12,” said Smawley, who sells pigeons and caged birds such as parakeets and cockatiels. “Ours is a very small sale. There are larger ones with 30 to 50 people.”
Smawley said he doesn’t keep track of the exact number of people who come to buy or look at the birds and rabbits, but he estimates between 30 and 50 people most weeks. Some are regulars and some just stop by when they see the group on the side of the road. As to what is done with the animals after sale, Smawley said he isn’t sure.
“Most of the birds are brought up to raise more young,” Smawley said. “There are some who eat them, but I really don’t know.”
--Amy Matzke/ The Roanoke Times
Video by Matt Gentry/ The Roanoke Times
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