The annual Oakland White Elephant Sale, a beloved tradition in the Bay Area, drew thousands of eager shoppers who camped out for hours to snag unique finds. The sale, hosted by the Oakland Museum Women’s Board, boasts hundreds of thousands of donated items spanning various categories, from vintage clothing and jewelry to furniture and artwork. Proceeds from the sale benefit the Oakland Museum of California.
A highly anticipated sale in Oakland drew thousands of people from across the Bay Area and beyond, with many camping out for hours before the doors even opened. In the pre-dawn hours, dozens of people waited to be among the first in line for preview day at the Oakland White Elephant Sale on Lancaster Street. It is Northern California’s oldest and largest sale of its kind, hosted by the Oakland Museum Women’s Board. Some people even camped out overnight, noting that it was a communal experience.
For Lissa Jones of San Jose, who arrived just after 5 a.m., it’s a yearly tradition. 'I think it’s the generosity of the community and the wonderful things that we find inside,' said Jones. 'We actually just met some new friends today. We’re going to go in there, shop around with them - it should be an exciting experience,' said Chris Cosio of Alameda. As the doors opened, shoppers sprang into action. Hundreds of thousands of donated items on sale have been sorted by nearly a thousand volunteers over the course of the last year. Proceeds from the sale benefit the Oakland Museum of California. 'Just the treasure - it’s so much treasure in here. It’s just fun, you never know what you're going to find,' said Mary Retzinger, chair of the White Elephant Sale. On the treasure hunt, KTVU's Betty Yu found a vintage tiara—and everything from fine jewelry to costume pieces. 'This dragon brooch is just exquisite. It’s amazing what people donate,' said Alison Hanly, co-chair of the Jewelry Department. There are vintage wedding dresses for as low as $20, and some come with quite the story to tell. 'White has not traditionally been the color of wedding dresses up until more modern times. This one is a cobalt blue silk velvet dress from the 1940s, and it came in with a picture of the wedding couple. It’s really beautiful to see,' said Jessica O’Brien, co-chair of the Women’s Wear Department. 'This one is a little more - it’s $220 because it’s in pristine condition.' From glassware and toys to furniture, lamps, and everything in between, shoppers browsed for hours. Jeff Wrath, who has been coming to the sale for 15 years, scored hard-to-find handcrafted pieces from Heath ceramics. 'Can’t find vintage Heath, 1960s, 1970s… I love Heath ceramics - local San Franciscan, so this is perfect. Classic,' said Wrath. The White Elephant Sale has raised more than $30 million for the Oakland Museum over 60 years. The sale opens to the public with a $7 admission fee on Wednesday, Jan. 29, and will run through most of February and into early March on select days
WHITE ELEPHANT SALE OAKLAND MUSEUM TREASURE HUNT DONATED ITEMS COMMUNITY EVENT
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Spanish Tourist Killed by Elephant While Bathing It at Thai Elephant CenterA 22-year-old Spanish tourist, Blanca Ojanguren García, was killed by an elephant at Koh Yao Elephant Care in Thailand while bathing the animal. The incident occurred on Friday, January 3, with 18 people present, including the victim's boyfriend. No one else was injured. Garcia was rushed to a local hospital but died.
Read more »
Oakland Police Sergeant Shoots Suspect in East Oakland StandoffAn Oakland police sergeant shot a man who fired a rifle in East Oakland, leading to a standoff. After a lengthy negotiation, the suspect surrendered and was hospitalized in stable condition. The officer involved is on administrative leave pending an investigation.
Read more »
Block party: Shot-swatting Oakland Tech shuts down the paint in victory over rival OaklandOakland at Oakland Tech 2025: ArDarius Grayson and Xan Meyer-Plettner throw a block party as Bulldogs stifle rival Oakland
Read more »
Oakland Tech's Meyer-Plettner Rebounds Against Oakland HighA photo of Oakland Tech's Xan Meyer-Plettner securing a rebound against visiting Oakland High's Dominique Trotter and Terrence Patterson-Roquemore during a basketball game on January 24, 2025.
Read more »
Woman wins $500,000 lottery from white elephant gift exchange ticketEmily Hickox said she was 'speechless' when she learned how much she won.
Read more »
Woman Wins $500,000 Lottery Prize in White Elephant Gift ExchangeEmily Hickox, a 25-year-old from Indiana, won a $500,000 prize from the Michigan Lottery's Detroit Lions instant game during a Christmas gift exchange. She won the ticket after her father won it in the exchange and gave it to her as a gift.
Read more »