Annual Amish Auction

Welcome to another week!

Hundreds of people braved heavy rain on Saturday, June 27, to attend the annual Amish school benefit auction. I can’t believe how many people were willing to slosh through puddles, some ankle-deep, and get soaked in blowing rain to attend. I saw as many English as Amish there.

I heard at least three auctioneers calling at once. While I was there they were auctioning off housewares in one tent, hunting equipment in another, and quilts in a barn. The quilts were beyond gorgeous.

Sewing and quilting elude me. I’m thankful I at least learned how to do a whipstitch in 4-H. The hours and labor invested in these quilts attests to how much Amish mothers value their kids’ education.

I’m in awe of the quilting skills these ladies possess. My favorite quilt sold for around $425. It was teal with cobalt and violet tulips appliquéd on the front.

I’m always drawn toward any shade of blue, so I wasn’t surprised that my favorite quilt sold for a high price. What did surprise me is the varying color schemes that drew the highest bids. One quilt was black-and-white. Several others reminded me of Thanksgiving.

Now, people were packed into the barn shoulder to shoulder, and it was very dim inside. Obviously there were no electric lights, and since the gray sky afforded muted light, I didn’t get the best view, but I only saw English women bidding on quilts. It made me smile to think that the most beautiful quilts these ladies made were probably neatly tucked onto their beds at home.

What always impresses me about this auction is the amount of new things that are up for bid. I’ve only attended a few auctions in my life, but most of the stuff for sale at the other auctions was used.

This auction offered as many new things as used. The furniture absolutely amazed me. A few lucky folks bought the most beautiful oak baby changing tables I have ever seen. They had three drawers and finely crafted spindles. I think they could’ve supported a 200-pound man, let alone a 10-pound infant.

Gardeners and farmers could’ve bid on flower plants, horse-drawn plows and discs. Hunters had their choice of animal traps, compound bows, lures, and fishing poles.

As much as I love looking at the quilts and furniture, I love eating the homemade food even more. I could’ve bloated myself on glazed donuts, barbequed chicken, pizza, hot sausage sandwiches, lemonade, kielbasa, and homemade ice cream.

Amish ladies fried the glazed doughnuts right in front of us. Men barbequed chicken leg and thigh quarters. My daughter couldn’t resist the chicken. Neither of us could resist the doughnuts. I never go to Krispy Kreme, so I get my hot doughnut fix at this auction.

I hope you’ll have the chance to go next year.

Have a wonderful week. Blessings!