The Riverside City Council  approved citywide garage sales for late August in a unanimous decision at its July 20 meeting.

The sales were authorized for Friday, Aug. 21 and Saturday, Aug. 22.

While they will not be subject to strict restrictions, sellers will be provided with signage encouraging precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“It might be worthwhile to find out what sort of guidance they’re going to give everybody and give everyone a sign to post at their residency,” Mayor Allen Schneider said during the meeting. “If you’re sick, don’t come in and that type of thing, just basic stuff.”

Sandy Ubben, a volunteer coordinator of the event, said she felt signage was the path of least resistance, which meant face coverings would be advised but not required.

“We’ll leave it to people’s discretion, but we are advising people to give plenty of space,” Ubben said. “You can’t control people, they’re going to do what they want, and people have been doing sales up until now.”

Ubben said the approved sale times were typically 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday and 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, though the City Council opted not to specify a timeframe this year.

Anyone seeking a spot on the city garage sale map can contact Sandy Ubben at 319-939-6965 by Aug. 16. Maps will be distributed to Riverside general stores and the Casey’s in Kalona on August 20.