It is all about the hunt, and the Mid Coast Hospital Auxiliary has spent the past month cleaning and sorting a wide range of donated items in preparation for the largest treasure hunt of the year, the 2016 Mid Coast Hospital Auxiliary Grand and Glorious Yard Sale.

“This year’s yard sale is huge and sure not to disappoint” says Grand and Glorious Yard Sale Chair Cyndy Bush. “We are doing something a little different this year and breaking the yard sale items into a Suite of Boutiques at Merrymeeting Plaza, 147 Bath Road, Brunswick from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 14 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 15.

The traditional Preview Party will be held Friday evening, May 13 from 6-8:30 p.m. and will include hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants, refreshments, and the opportunity to purchase before the free public sale. Advance tickets to the Preview Party are $20 each and are available at the Mid Coast Hospital Gift Shop, Now You’re Cooking in Bath, and Gulf of Maine Bookstore in downtown Brunswick. Tickets will be sold at the event for $25.

Notable treasures donated thus far are an 1897 McKinley for President Campaign pin, estate furniture, sparkling crystal, gleaming silverware sets, vintage medicine bottles, a beautiful punchbowl, antique clocks, lots of nautical artwork, Walter Dean, Frieda Kahlow, and Bessie Pease Gutmann to name a few of the beautiful framed pieces.

“There will be something for everyone: jewelry, tools, home and garden, linens, crafts, kitchen, children, electronics, sports equipment, holiday décor among the 12 categories”, says Pat Laz, Treasures department chair.

Shannon Coray, director of volunteer services at Mid Coast Hospital, has long been a fan of the Grand and Glorious Yard Sale, “This is my first involvement behind the scenes and let me tell you, these folks are professional. The first Grand and Glorious Yard Sale was held 21 years ago in the Masonic Lodge on Baribeau Drive and since that time, the Auxiliary members have refined the process. Each department has a team captain and a whole crew of people reporting to them. They work tirelessly for months pulling this event together. Most of them come back year after year just to work this one fundraiser so it has really become a fun social event for everyone”.

Donations for the sale are still being accepted and may be dropped off at the front door of the former Coldwater Creek store at Merrymeeting Plaza, 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays, April 16-May 7, and Wednesdays, April 20-May 4. All proceeds benefit Mid Coast Hospital and donations are tax deductible. For pick-up of large items, call 751-0357.