An Indicator of Better Weather
You might be wondering just exactly what a mud sale is. I’ll tell you what it isn’t. A mud sale is not a place to buy mud or even dirt. But it is an indicator that better weather is on the way. Lancaster Mud Sales are a tradition that goes back to the 1960s, when the local volunteer fire department decided to hold an auction to held fund whatever that particular fire department might need.
But why are they called Mud Sales? Oh, that’s because the auctions happen in the parking lots and fields surrounding the fire house regardless of the weather. We’ve been to mud sales in the pouring rain where you need rain boots to move around; one year it was 17* during the Gordonville Sale and a couple weeks later it was 60*. So come prepared for anything because Covid is the first thing I’ve seen to stop Lancaster mud sales in years!
What to Expect During Lancaster Mud Sales
So now that you know why they’re called mud sales, let’s talk about what you’ll find. Lancaster County Mud Sales are auctions where you can find just about anything you’re looking for. There is lumber, plants, antiques, new furniture, crafts, handmade Amish quilts, buggies, lawn equipment and outdoor furniture to name just a few of the things you’ll find at any given mud sale.
Many of the Mud Sales let you register and get a bidder number the day before the sale officially starts. This is important, because you can’t bid on anything without one. This also gives you a chance to preview the sale and take a closer look at the quilts. Also, bring your checkbook – if you live in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and/or Delaware many of the fire departments will let you write a personal check, saving you money on credit card fees which the fire department passes along to the purchaser.
2023 Schedule of Lancaster Mud Sales
- Strasburg Spring Consignment & Mud Sale – February 24 & 25
- Bart Township Auction & Mud Sale – March 4
- Gordonville Spring Mud Sale & Auction – March 10 & 11
- Penryn Volunteer Fire Co. Sale – March 18
- West Earl Fire Company Annual Quilt & Consignment Auction – March 18
- Airville Fire Co. Spring Consignment & Quilt Auction – March 18
- Farmersville Volunteer Fire Co. Sale – March 24 – this is the only Friday night only sale, starts at 4:30
- Gap Fire Company Sale – March 25
- Robert Fulton Sale – April 1
- Rawlinsville Sale – April 14 & 15
- Schoeneck Mud Sale and Quilt Auction – April 15
- Fivepointville Auction – May 6
- Honey Brook Fire Company Quilt Sale & Consignment Auction – May 13
- Weaverland Valley Sale – May 19 & 20
- Kinzer Fire Co. Mud Sale
- Lancaster County Carriage and Antique Auction – June 29 & 30
- Refton Fire Company Sale – June 23 & 24
- Bareville Fire Company Consignment Auction – August 26
- Gordonville Fall Sale & Auction –
- Cochranville Fire Company Mud Sale – October 21
Why Attend a Mud Sale?
Because they are fun! To find something unique. I go to find pieces of furniture for upcycling, you may have seen some of them in your guest room. Both Lonestar & Log Cabin have upcycled nighstands. There’s a beautiful church pew in the common area that was a mud sale find and the sewing machine table at the top of the stairs was also from a mud sale
Plan to Attend a 2023 Mud Sale
With any luck, we’ll soon be finishing Tumbling Blocks. Upcycling some chairs that we found at a mud sale into a charming towel rack for the bathroom! So, pick your favorite mud sale, then pick your favorite room and book quick!