Amish Mud Sales

Mud sales are named for the condition of the thawing ground in late spring.  A Lancaster, Pennsylvania tradition refers to the annual auctions or sales of Amish goods held at several local fire companies.  The sales attract thousands of people looking for bargains on anything from Amish quilts and antiques to lumber, buggies, livestock, and lawn equipment.  These large events can draw as many as 20,000 people. Since these occur on fields, farm lanes, and fire-company grounds during early spring, expect:

• Thick mud
• Slippery walkways
• Rubber boots on almost everyone

To newcomers, the sight of six to ten auctions happening at once seems like organized chaos.  

Although mud sales are associated with the Amish, they reflect the whole of Lancaster County in their mix of Amish and “English” sellers and attendees. In Lancaster County, Amish and English live alongside each other, often shopping at the same stores, attending the same events, and sharing the same appreciation for the fertile land and thriving community of Lancaster. The fire companies that the mud sales support also display this diversity, with firefighters coming from both Amish and English communities. Mud sales are among the best ways to see the rich cultural medley of Lancaster County. 

Most importantly, make sure you come to a mud sale hungry and ready to eat! Amish food abounds at these sales; there’s no better place to get a taste of Amish cuisine. So be sure to know whether you are ordering a Gob or a Whoopie Pie! This slip of the tongue could bring the entire event to a screeching stop!