One summer past time of Guthrie County is seeing changes due to COVID-19 concerns.

The communities of southern and central Guthrie County usually band together for area garage sales, but one of them has decided to cancel this year. The White Pole Road Marathon Sale which traditionally takes place the first weekend of June in Dexter, Stuart, Menlo, Adair, and Casey will return in 2021. White Pole Road Development Corporation Executive Director Tom Smull says there can be individual sales at residences and businesses that wish to continue the tradition on their own. Smull adds that visitors are more than welcome to travel to the scenic byway’s sites, listen to their self-guiding audio tour that can be found on their website, and shop safely at the local establishments that are open.

The Heart of Guthrie County Garage Sales event which is co-sponsored by the Guthrie Center and Panora Chambers of Commerce has been postponed. Instead of being held the second weekend of June, a decision will be made in the coming months if they choose to sponsor community-wide sales in late summer or early fall. The Chambers stated that the decision wasn’t made lightly, but they feel it is the right decision to keep their communities and residents safe at this time.