The Fourth Annual Historic U.S. Hi-Way 80 Sale & Cruise has been extended to cover more than 350 miles from Grand Prairie to Vicksburg, Miss., according to Howard Rosser, executive director of the East Texas Tourism Association.

Running east and west out of Marshall along the route of U.S. 80, the event will be held the next two weekends, Friday through Sunday, Oct. 7-9 and Oct. 14-16. Rosser describes the event as a giant yard/garage sale.

The East Texas Tourism Association organized the event to increase tourism trade and traffic along the historic highway in its region, Rosser said. Another goal is to bring attention to U.S. Highway 80 for year-round visitor traffic.

The route is another "mother road" for the nation and, like U.S. Route 66, U.S. Highway 80 got its federal highway designation number in 1926.

"The sale will feature hundreds of roadside vendors selling all kinds of merchandise," Rosser said. Antique shops in Longview reported more than 2,000 shoppers on the first Saturday when they usually get only 20 to 30 buyers.