Yard-sale enthusiasts throughout the area should mark their calendars for this Saturday, the date that First United Methodist Church in Dyersburg has planned its Methodist Market.

The huge event takes the common yard sale one step further by sorting and displaying items by category and creating a bustling, market-style atmosphere for shoppers. Proceeds from the event aid Reelfoot Rural Ministries, one of the largest ministries in the area.

The sale will take place from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m., on Saturday, Aug. 23, in the church's fellowship hall, located at 100 McGaughey St.

Chairwoman Sharon Campbell and vice chairwoman Judi Felkner have been working with a large group of volunteers to bring the project together and are looking forward to a smooth-running event.

"We hope to get some big bucks," said Campbell. "Because everything raised is donated to the Reelfoot Rural Ministry."

Campbell, Felkner and many of their church family have seen the work of Reelfoot Rural Ministries firsthand. Each year they travel on the first Saturday in December to the ministry's Christmas Toy Store to help arrange toys for qualifying families.

"It really starts the season for me," said Campbell.

The ministry is a mission program of the Memphis Conference of the United Methodist Church. Its many programs service the children, seniors and community outreach in the Tennessee counties of Dyer, Lake and Obion and also reach into Fulton County in Kentucky.

"I've been cleaning out closets for a week," said Campbell, who with her husband and Felkner, have been organizing the items collected into the correct categories.

Categories featured in the sale will include a children's department, country store, bake sale, furniture, housewares, accessories, garden and outdoor items, linens, electronics, books, CDs, board games, sports equipment, jewelry, purses, belts, toys and seasonal items. Sausage and biscuits will also be available for shoppers to purchase.

Residents who would like to clean out their own closets may donate items at the church from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Thursday and Friday.