Lancaster County Carriage And Antique Auction Scheduled

Jake King and Amy Wissing, two of the organizers of the Hand-in-Hand Fire Company mud sale, are grateful for the volunteers who take part. "The community support behind this thing ..." said King.

"It's astounding," Wissing finished for him. "There are so many people involved who are not firefighters and don't have family members who are firefighters."

The mud sale, an outdoor annual consignment auction that was not held in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, will take place this year on Thursday, June 24, and Friday, June 25, and will feature five auction blocks. In addition to carriages, antiques, collectibles, plant nursery items, tools, and more will be up for bids. On June 24, food will be served beginning at 3 p.m., and the auction will take place from 3:30 to 8 p.m. On June 25, the auction will be held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. As in the past, the auction will be located in the large field along Route 340 across from the Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant. The GPS address for the location is 338 N. Ronks Road, Bird-in-Hand.

Wissing shared that pizza and wings will be available on the night of June 24. King noted that the auction blocks will feature antiques and collectibles, crafts, plant nursery items, flowers, small tack, and tools, along with field rows. Wissing pointed out that field row items are often unusual or unique. "(Items) could be equipment, old windows, old furniture. There are major treasures sometimes like iron statues and anvils," she stated, adding that old Salvation Army uniforms have been among the finds.

King said the June 25 auction will begin with antiques, collectibles, and field row items. He noted that tack, other horse-related items, and plant nursery items like flowers and shrubbery will also be sold. "Scattered throughout the day will be crafts, mini horses and ponies, furniture, and carriages," he said.

Wissing noted that the furniture that goes up for bids often includes a mix of old and new items and that often larger donated items are featured. "If people keep some items aside while they're spring cleaning and bring them to the sale, that would be wonderful," said Wissing. Past auctions have featured up to 150 carriages ranging from Amish buggies to pleasure carriages, including antique carriages from the 1890s.

Food that will be available for purchase on June 25 will include sub sandwiches, ham and cheese sandwiches, bloomin' onions, and chicken barbecue. King noted that doughnuts and soft pretzels will be made fresh on site, along with homemade ice cream produced using hit-and-miss engines. Iced tea and lemonade will also be sold.

Coming off a year when fundraisers were canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions, organizers are hoping that the auction will be well attended, but they are also looking forward to bringing the community together. Wissing noted that 400 volunteers help to make the sale happen. She credited King and the other managers of the event with creating a strong structure that has organized successful events for the fire company since 2009.

Readers who have questions about the event may call 717-945-4945.