Q: Why are you only open three days a week?
A: The original Farmers Markets were what the name implies: Farmers selling their wares to the local community and of course, since farming was a full time occupation, it left little time for retail. Most markets opened early and closed early. Several Markets in Lancaster County are still only open one day a week.
A: The original Farmers Markets were what the name implies: Farmers selling their wares to the local community and of course, since farming was a full time occupation, it left little time for retail. Most markets opened early and closed early. Several Markets in Lancaster County are still only open one day a week.
Q: We thought the Amish were not permitted to drive cars, so how do you get here? Horse and Buggy?
A: No, we don’t drive our horses to Easton! Although, we don’t drive motorized vehicles ourselves, we are allowed to hire non-Amish drivers to transport us. And besides, since the average horse can’t go more than 20 miles in one day, by the time we arrived, we’d have to turn around and head for home!!
A: No, we don’t drive our horses to Easton! Although, we don’t drive motorized vehicles ourselves, we are allowed to hire non-Amish drivers to transport us. And besides, since the average horse can’t go more than 20 miles in one day, by the time we arrived, we’d have to turn around and head for home!!
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Q: We were told the Amish don’t use electricity. Were we misinformed?
A: We are not permitted to have electric in our homes, however, exceptions are made in outside businesses.
A: We are not permitted to have electric in our homes, however, exceptions are made in outside businesses.
Lancaster County , Pennsylvania has become famous for what has become known as “Mud Sales”, held annually mostly in early Spring to benefit fire companies and other charities. In 1963 the Bart Township Fire Company needed to purchase equipment for its volunteers. Steve Esh raised the possibility of staging an auction to raise funds and the Fire Company voted to approve the event. The first sale led to the term “Mud Sale” as the response was overwhelming and thousands of people attended. The field that the sale was held in soon got trampled into a gooey “muddy” mess, and at least one instance, a lady literally lost her shoes and never did retrieve them! Several auctioneers donate their time to the cause. One person was in charge of the book keeping and he had such a long line of bidders wishing to pay their bills, he finally threw up his hands in exasperation and asked them to return next week!
Throughout the year, a new Fire Hall was built, improved cooking facilities were added, and much of the sales ground was paved and stoned, although some mud still exists on the site and people are advised to wear boots. Shuttle buses are provided to transport people to the sales ground from various parking lots in the area.
A variety of hot and cold food stands dot the sales grounds, plus a large seating area inside the Fire Hall. Items sold at the auction include hundreds of quilts, crafts, furniture, building materials, farm equipment, machinery, horses, buggies and much more, all sold by volunteer auctioneers and clerks. Another attraction at the Mud Sales is a unique Amish game called ‘Corner Ball’ in which the corner players try to hit the person in the middle with a ball to strike them out. The game is fast paced, takes dexterity, quick thinking and quick action. It is quite exciting to watch!
Many other fire companies and non-profit organizations have added benefit auctions to their fund raisers, patterned after the first 'Mud Sale'. These “Mud Sales” attract people from throughout the country. Literally hundreds of volunteers work together to ensure a successful sale.
The Bart Township Fire Company annual sale is always held the first Saturday in March, plus a building material and craft sale is held the 3rd Saturday of the month. Ask the vendors in the Amish Market about the other “Mud Sales”.
Should you decide to attend one of the “Mud Sales” don’t forget to wear boots!!!!
Throughout the year, a new Fire Hall was built, improved cooking facilities were added, and much of the sales ground was paved and stoned, although some mud still exists on the site and people are advised to wear boots. Shuttle buses are provided to transport people to the sales ground from various parking lots in the area.
A variety of hot and cold food stands dot the sales grounds, plus a large seating area inside the Fire Hall. Items sold at the auction include hundreds of quilts, crafts, furniture, building materials, farm equipment, machinery, horses, buggies and much more, all sold by volunteer auctioneers and clerks. Another attraction at the Mud Sales is a unique Amish game called ‘Corner Ball’ in which the corner players try to hit the person in the middle with a ball to strike them out. The game is fast paced, takes dexterity, quick thinking and quick action. It is quite exciting to watch!
Many other fire companies and non-profit organizations have added benefit auctions to their fund raisers, patterned after the first 'Mud Sale'. These “Mud Sales” attract people from throughout the country. Literally hundreds of volunteers work together to ensure a successful sale.
The Bart Township Fire Company annual sale is always held the first Saturday in March, plus a building material and craft sale is held the 3rd Saturday of the month. Ask the vendors in the Amish Market about the other “Mud Sales”.
Should you decide to attend one of the “Mud Sales” don’t forget to wear boots!!!!
Mud Sales
