MARYSVILLE — Holly White shook her head in disbelief. She just paid a meager $5 for a much-needed vacuum sweeper. And she wasn’t the only person to escape with a hot-deal at the Marysville Parks and Recreation’s Junk in the Trunk event held Saturday, July 9, at the Marysville Municipal Courthouse.

“I needed a vacuum sweeper so bad,” said White, a Snohomish County resident. “In fact, we were going to Sears today before we spotted what was going on here. The sweeper is in great shape, so hopefully it will last us through the summer.”

More than 800 people spent time browsing through an eclectic mix of odds and ends. Some walked away with collectible art pieces and others discovered vintage tape cassettes.

“The new cars don’t have tape players, but my 1985 Toyota does,” said 46-year-old Willie Jonas. “And look, the ‘Best of the Go-Gos.’ It was a blast from the past. I love it.”

Fifty-seven vendors from all over western Washington participated in the inaugural event which began as an idea that got thrown around during a Parks and Recreation staff meeting this past winter.

“We were having a conversation one day and the idea got tossed around about having a garage sale of sorts,” Recreation Coordinator Maryke Burgess said. “Now we have 57 booths, but I am most impressed with the wide selection of items that are here. There’s something for everyone.”

Marysville-Pilchuck High School senior Jessica Chapman spent the day selling her handmade knitted items in an effort to raise money for college.

“I hope to add a lot more money to the amount I’ve raised for college so far,” said Chapman, who is headed to Western Washington University in 2012. “College is not cheap, so I have a lot more work to do before I graduate. But we are having a good day, so I am happy.”

Mary Kiplinger, of Arlington, took advantage of the shopper-friendly priced items. When she was done, Kiplinger had spent less than $100 and walked away with a barrage of goodies, including one of Chapman’s well-crafted knitted hoods. She even gave some thought to an older car that was going for $800.

“I love these events,” she said. “I looked at that car. It really was a good deal. And I am sure I could have negotiated it down for an even better price. But I decided not to. I spent my budget and I am getting away with some good stuff. I even bought some vintage toys for my nephews. They are young, so they wouldn’t know if I shopped at Toys “R” Us or from a gum-ball machine. That won’t last, though.”

For the items that were not sold, vendors had the choice to pack up and take their goods home or donate them a charity truck that was on hand. If you missed the event, don’t worry, it’ll be back next July.

“We had a fabulous day,” Burgess said. “This was just the start. Next year it will be bigger because the vendors will be able to visualize what it’ll be like and they’ll have an idea about the number of people who will show up.”