What’s a mud sale?
Many Lancaster County towns and villages are protected by volunteer fire companies. These fire companies need to raise funds to pay for needed equipment and supplies, so they hold a sale/auction once a year. Think of it like a benefit auction. These fire company sales have been a regular event in Lancaster County since the mid-1960’s. They’re also known as “Amish Mud Sales”, and while a lot of Amish do typically attend a mud sale, they’re technically volunteer fire company sales.
When are mud sales?
Late winter and early spring work out best for local farmers (including the Amish) to be able to come to the sale because they have more time available before the spring planting season. Mud sales take place somewhere in Lancaster County almost every weekend through this time, although some do take place during the summer and fall as well. View the 2020 mud sale schedule for details.
Why is it called a “mud sale”?
Since many of the items are sold outside during potentially muddy Spring conditions, these events have earned the nickname “mud sales.”