Amish Auction

 This morning we went just a couple of minutes drive down the road to the twenty-second annual Amish auction that raises money for their schools. The place was hopping when we got there at about 9:20 in the morning and was twice as full when we left an hour or so later!

It’s a consignment sale for tools, horse equipment, and furniture. As well there were plants, baked goods, and many quilts. The quilts get auctioned off as well. 

There are horses for auction, everything from wee little ponies ( and two little donkeys) to sleek ex- race horses for buggy use. 

We were hoping for Apple fritters, but settled for donuts and cinnamons buns!

Breakfast of champions!

There was also a big food tent for hamburgers, sausage on a bun, or slices of pie if you wished. Kettle corn was being cooked up in big vats. Rows of picnic tables, porta-potties, and hand washing stations provided comfort if necessary. There was a schedule for what was being auctioned and when. We weren't interested in buying anything, (but if I had a little barn, that donkey would have come home with me!) apart from baked goods. 

Car parking was provided in a cut hay field, complete with little guys in their straw hats directing traffic. Buggy parking was closer to the actual sale area. This is what it looked like when we came in the morning. 

These two pictures, above, were taken as we were leaving. There was also "horse parking" in a barn. We joked about, what if you took the wrong horse? I mean, I've walked up to the wrong Toyota Rav 4 in a parking lot before, there are so many that look just like mine! 

The quilts were displayed in a large tent. There were also many benches for people to sit on when the quilt auctions started. 

I loved looking at the horses. This mother and foal pair caught my eye. They were for sale. I wonder how much they will end up selling for?

Some of the buggy horses were gorgeous, all shined up for the event with their Showsheen. Did you know that the young Amish men like to purchase race horses as their buggy horses? It's similar to a young men wanting a sports car or muscle car. 

I'm always drawn to the draft horses. 

I don't think this pair was for sale as they had no numbers on them. They were gentle giants. 

This one obliged by turning and looking at me for a picture! I so enjoyed going to the sale. I was in my happy place with the smell of horses and fried onions wafting around me. 

We're home now and after another cup of coffee, I'm changing into shorts as the temperature is heating up and I've a good day of yard work ahead of me. Tons of rain mean lots of whipper-snipping and weeding.