"Thrifting" has become a popular way to shop in recent years.

Perhaps it's the thrill of finding a unique item or maybe it's the exhilaration of being able to afford something you want that makes the trend so appealing.

The Junior League will hold its 46th annual Harvest Thrift Sale this Saturday at the Georgia Mountains Center in Gainesville.

For the cost of $1, bargain hunters can gain access to one of the biggest thrift sales in the area.

"We start our prices from about 25 cents to maybe $30 for some of the bigger sofas, some of the bigger items," said Christiana Jones, Junior League member.

The event is a major fundraiser for several local organizations.

"All of the proceeds from the sale goes back to the community to nonprofit organizations," Jones said.

All of the items for sale have been donated and are in good condition.

"Everything is really on the lower (price) end so we can raise as much money as we can and so we can let people buy at a lower price," Jones said.

The Georgia Mountains Center arena is filled with thousands of household items, baby gear, clothing, furniture, kitchen appliances and odds and ends. The room is sectioned off with items organized by function. The more popular items are baby clothes, kitchen appliances, furniture and Christmas decorations.

"We do have a new shop area, which is either new stuff that we got as gifts that we never opened or it's new donated from business that couldn't sell so they use it as a tax write off," volunteer Ashley Mixon said.

The Junior League will open the doors for a special preview party on Thursday night. The cost to enter is $5 and all of the items will be double priced but it gives shoppers first choice of discounted and unique items.

The Junior League asks that shoppers not bring shopping bags or baby strollers to the sale.

The Saturday sale is expected to draw crowds of 1,600 to 1,800 people. The sale starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m.