An Amish Mud Sale

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Hello, Winnie Griggs here. I’m in the midst of writing my next Amish book, the third in my Sweetbrier Creek trilogy. And I’m having my characters attend a uniquely Amish event, a Mud Sale.

If you’ve ever visited Amish country in late winter or early spring, you may have come across a lively outdoor auction, where the sound of an auctioneer’s chant mixes with the clip-clop of horse-drawn buggies. Rows of handcrafted furniture, colorful quilts, farm equipment, and livestock fill the sale grounds, and the smell of fresh-baked goods lingers in the air. Welcome to a mud sale—one of the most unique and cherished traditions in Amish and Mennonite communities.

But what exactly is a mud sale, and why is it such an important part of Amish country life? The origins of mud sales date back to the mid-20th century in Pennsylvania’s Amish and Mennonite communities, particularly in Lancaster County.

In the early 1960s, volunteer fire departments in rural Amish communities were struggling to raise funds. The Amish, who do not use modern firefighting equipment, still rely on their non-Amish neighbors to provide fire protection. Since they don’t pay into government-backed fire services, they support their local volunteer fire companies through donations and fundraising events.

To help fund essential equipment, Amish and Mennonite farmers began donating goods to local fire department auctions. These early sales were held in the late winter and early spring, when farming work was at a seasonal lull. However, since these sales were held on fields that were still thawing from winter, the grounds often turned into a muddy mess—hence the name “mud sale.”

Over time, the auctions grew into major community events, with more and more Amish families donating handcrafted furniture, quilts, livestock, and baked goods. The tradition spread from Pennsylvania to other Amish communities, including those in Ohio, Indiana, and beyond.

Today, mud sales continue to be one of the largest fundraisers for Amish-area volunteer fire companies, keeping this decades-old tradition alive.

While Pennsylvania remains the most famous for mud sales, Ohio’s Amish communities, where my book takes place, hold similar auction-style fundraisers. These sales raise money for:

  • Local volunteer fire departments
  • Amish schools
  • Families in need (such as medical expense fundraisers)
  • Community building projects

Many of these Ohio auctions follow the same traditions as the original Lancaster mud sales, offering a mix of livestock, furniture, and handmade goods, along with plenty of delicious Amish home cooking.

If you attend a mud sale, expect a busy, fast-moving auction with a wide variety of goods up for bid, including:

  1. Handmade Quilts: Each quilt is hand-stitched over the winter months and often takes hundreds of hours to complete. Some are sold for thousands of dollars due to their intricate patterns and craftsmanship. A “Quilt Row” is often set up at the auction, allowing buyers to examine the quilts before bidding.
  2. Buggies and Tack: Since the Amish rely on horses for daily transportation, mud sales are a prime place to buy and sell buggies, wagons, and harnesses. Some youth purchase their first buggy at a mud sale, making it an important milestone.
  3. Livestock: Horses, cows, goats, and chickens are common items at auction, helping Amish families stock their farms for the season. Draft horses (used for plowing fields) and saddle horses (used for transportation) fetch some of the highest bids.
  4. Handmade Furniture and Antiques: Amish furniture is known for its quality and durability. Dining tables, bed frames, cabinets, and rocking chairs are all commonly auctioned. Many buyers come specifically for antiques, as mud sales often include items that have been passed down for generations.
  5. Farm Equipment and Tools: Amish farmers rely on horse-drawn plows, wagons, and traditional hand tools, many of which are sold at mud sales. While the Amish avoid modern machinery, they do use gas-powered tools, such as generators and small engines, which are often available at the sales.
  6. Food Stalls and Amish Cooking: Homemade baked goods, such as whoopie pies, cinnamon rolls, fresh breads, and shoofly pies, are always a hit. Many mud sales serve hot meals, including Amish noodles, homemade soups, and barbecued chicken.

If you’re planning to visit a mud sale, keep these tips in mind:

  •  Wear boots – The ground is almost always muddy, so waterproof footwear is a must!
  •  Bring cash – Some vendors only accept cash, especially for small purchases.
  •  Arrive early – The best deals (and best food!) go fast.
  •  Be ready to bid – Auctions move quickly, and first-time attendees may find the pace exciting but overwhelming.
  •  Respect Amish customs – The Amish prefer not to be photographed, so avoid taking pictures of people unless you have permission.

Why Mud Sales Matter

At their heart, mud sales are about more than just buying and selling—they reflect the Amish values of hard work, charity, and community support. They also provide an opportunity for Amish and non-Amish neighbors to come together, fostering relationships between the two worlds.

Whether you’re searching for handmade Amish furniture, a farm animal, or just a warm slice of shoofly pie, attending a mud sale is a one-of-a-kind experience.

Here are some firsthand anecdotes and insights from those who have participated in these unique events:

“Beyond the bargains, what struck me was the camaraderie. Locals and visitors alike gathered not just to buy or sell, but to connect, share stories, and enjoy the day together. It felt less like a market and more like a community festival.”

“I went for the quilts but stayed for the food. The homemade pies, soft pretzels, and traditional Amish dishes were irresistible. It’s worth attending just for the culinary experience!”

“From handcrafted furniture to antiques and even livestock, the range of goods was incredible. I left with a beautiful handmade rocking chair and memories of a day well spent.”

These personal accounts highlight the rich tapestry of experiences that mud sales offer, making them a cherished tradition for both locals and visitors alike.

Would you ever visit a mud sale? Have you been to one before? Share your thoughts in the comments to be entered in a drawing for your choice of one of my books!

 

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Winnie Griggs is the author of Historical (and occasionally Contemporary) romances that focus on Small Towns, Big Hearts, Amazing Grace. She is also a list maker, a lover of dragonflies and holds an advanced degree in the art of procrastination.
Three of Winnie’s books have been nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, and one of those nominations resulted in a win.
Winnie loves to hear from readers. You can connect with her on facebook at www.facebook.com/WinnieGriggs.Author or email her at winnie@winniegriggs.com.

65 thoughts on “An Amish Mud Sale”

  2. No, this is the first I’ve heard of mud sales. My mom grew up in the coal mining region of Schuylkill County and never mentioned them.

  4. I have attended some huge Amish markets in Pennsylvania and often visit an Amish community and store in North Carolina, but I have never been to a mud sale. I would love to, though, because I also love auctions.

  5. Hi Winnie –

    I haven’t been to a mud sale, but I would be the first to go if I had the opportunity. We have an Amish community nearby and it is interesting to observe their lifestyle.

  6. I have been to many auctions but not one like this – my Dad’s estate auction was a muddy mess – one whole field became a muddy hog lot and vehicles got pulled out by our huge JD tractor! Many Amish were in attendance due to the cast iron collection and horse related items

  8. This is the first time I have heard of mud sales so I have never been to one. We do have a lot of Amish people around here though.

  9. I have never been but I would like too. I enjoyed the article. I have read a lot of Amish books they are some of my favorite books to read.

  10. I’ve never even heard of mud sales before. I’ve went to a vegetable road side sale to buy tomatoes plants and I visited Amish farms to get pumpkins with the preschoolers that I taught. The pumpkins were donated by the Amish.

  11. Hey Winnie! I haven’t attended a mud sale, but would if I ever visit PA Amish Country again. My late hubby and I visited PA Amish Country many moons ago and loved the family style dining restaurants there. We had the absolute best food and were served plenty of it.

  12. This was so interesting. I had never heard of these auctions so have never been to one. They sound like so much fun!

  15. Good morning Winnie, this is so very interesting and it sounds like alot of fun. I have never attended one but I sure wouldn’t mind going and enjoying a day like that, I have had Mennonite cheese and it was delicious! It all sounds great!! Thank you for sharing about this great sounding event! Have a great day and a great week. I really enjoyed reading your post.

  16. I have not attended a mud sale but it sounds interesting. I would be interested in the handmade quilts since I am a quilter.

    • The quilts are absolutely gorgeous! I’ve only ever made one quilt and that was probably 30 years ago, but my daughter has expressed an interest in learning so it looks like I’m about to get back into it 🙂

  17. I have never been to a mud sale, but this seems like something I would love. It reminds me of small-town local fairs I’ve attended.

  18. I have never heard if a mud sale! Wow! That sounds so exciting. I love Amish quilts, crafts and the furniture is the best you can buy! We visit the Amish furniture, markets etc… in Pennsylvania many different times a year. Love going there and love how they always make you feel so welcome at their stores. Thank you for your information.

  19. I have never been to a Mud Sale but I would love too Thank you for the chance to win a copy of your book and Happy Birthday Winnie!

  21. I would love to go to a “mud sale” but will probably never get to go. The Amish have always fascinated me. We stopped at a roadside stand in Pennyslvania and bought a shoofly pie on a a trip in the past. I have read about them a number of times in Amish books and they sound great. I have been to tractor shows which sound similar, although there are no auctions there. They do have booths with items for sale. Thanks for all the details about the mud sales. Very interesting.

  22. I had never heard of a mud sale, interesting. Our local Mennonite Church (definitely not old order Mennonite) has a sale on the first Saturday in October to raise funds for the Mennonite Central Committee which does charitable work in the US, Canada, and around the world. They sell fabulous quilts made by the local church women and others from our community. They usually have a few Amish quilts as well. Also for sale is lots of good food, hand crafted wood items, and some antiques. It too has become a community festival.

  23. I’ve never heard of a Mud Sale before. I live in northwest Ohio and have been to Shipshewana Indiana and their gigantic flea market. We also must have an Amish meal before we leave! I always look for the fresh baked cookies!!!!!!!!

  27. We have been to many auctions over the years, but never a mud auction. We stopped by an auction in Amish country, PA., but I don’t remember the time of the year, just that it wasn’t winter. It may have been a regularly scheduled auction since it was held in an auction house of sorts. There were many buggies tied up outside and families walking up from the nearby town. We did stop and look around a little bit, but really don’t need anything else (I need to auction some of my stuff off). It appeared to be mostly tools and farming equipment.

  30. I like doing new things so I would enjoy going. The Amish food is so good and their crafts are all well done. I’m sure I would find something to buy I wouldn’t really need but couldn’t resist!!

  32. My granddaughter is getting married in March very near Lancaster. Maybe I will be fortunate enough to see one

  33. I’ve been to Lancaster Pennsylvania but I unfortunately never been to a mud sale. Love the Amish food is very good and furniture is what I be looking for.

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