The mud sale season in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is set to begin on February 21-22, 2025, with the first event at the Strasburg Fire Company[1]. These popular auctions, which support local volunteer fire companies, offer a unique blend of Amish culture, community spirit, and bargain hunting. Mud sales, named for the muddy conditions often present during the spring thaw, have been a tradition in Lancaster County since the 1960s[1].
The 2025 calendar includes approximately 22 mud sales, with the majority taking place in Lancaster County. These events typically feature a wide array of items for sale, including quilts, farm equipment, antiques, and even horses[1]. The sales are crucial fundraisers for volunteer fire companies, often generating around one-third of their annual operating budget in just one or two days[1].
Visitors can expect a lively atmosphere with multiple auctions happening simultaneously, delicious food, and unique experiences like watching Amish youth play cornerball[1]. The sales also offer a glimpse into Amish craftsmanship, with handmade quilts being particularly popular items[1].
While most sales occur in spring, the schedule extends throughout the year, with events planned as late as October. The tradition originated in Lancaster County, but a handful of mud sales now happen outside the county, notably in York, Chester, and Dauphin counties.
Attendees are advised to check event details and confirm dates before traveling, as some sales may span multiple days with specific items sold at particular times. Many sales happen over two days, with different types of sales on each day. These are generally consignment auctions where people bring items for sale, with a percentage of the sale value going to the host fire company.
The mud sale experience can vary, with some sales known for high-quality items and others for bargains. Young Amish boys often offer wagon services to haul purchases to people’s cars for small tips. Food is typically available at these events, adding to the overall community atmosphere.
For those interested in attending, it’s recommended to wear appropriate footwear, especially for sales happening during the actual winter-spring thaw period. The events are open to the public and provide an excellent opportunity to experience Amish culture while supporting local fire companies[1].
Here’s the schedule for the 2025 mud sales with pertinent data:
February 2025
- Strasburg Fire Company
- February 21 & 22, 2025
- 203 Franklin Street, Strasburg, PA 17572
- Phone: 717-687-7232
- Friday (Feb. 21) start time: 4pm
- Saturday (Feb. 22) start time: 8am
March 2025
- Bart Township Fire Company
- March 1, 2025
- 11 Furnace Road, Quarryville, PA 17566
- Phone: 717-786-3348
- Pequea Valley Fire Department (Gordonville Mud Sale)
- March 7 and 8, 2025
- 3204 Vigilant St./Old Leacock Road, Gordonville, PA 17529
- Phone: 717-768-3869
- Website: pvfd40.com or facebook.com/gordonvillesale/
- Penryn Fire Company
- March 14 & 15, 2025
- 1441 N. Penryn Road, Manheim, PA 17545
- Phone: 717-665-2535
- Website: penrynfire.com or facebook.com/events/1231731224561748/
- Friday (Mar. 15) start time: 12pm – 8:30 PM
- Saturday (Mar. 16) start time: 8 AM – 3:30 PM
- West Earl Fire Company Consignment & Quilt Auction
- March 15, 2025
- 14 School Lane Avenue, Brownstown, PA 17508
- Phone: 717-656-6791
- Website: facebook.com/westearlfire/ or westearlfire.org/events/
- Auction start time: 8 AM (Quilt Auction starts at 11 AM)
- Airville Volunteer Fire Company
- March 15, 2025
- 3576 Delta Road, Airville, PA 17302
- Phone: 717-862-3806
- Auction start time: 8:30am
- Gap Fire Company
- March 21 & 22, 2025 (TBC)
- Houston Run Corporate Center, 835 Houston Run Drive, Gap, PA 17527
- Phone: 717-442-8100
- Website: facebook.com/GFC42
- Farmersville Fire Company
- March 28, 2025
- 74 E. Farmersville Road, Ephrata, PA 17522
- Phone: 717-354-5841
- Website: farmersvillefire.com/666-2/
- Start time: Inside @ 4:30, Outside @ 5:00
April 2025
- Robert Fulton Fire Company
- April 5, 2025
- 2271 Robert Fulton Highway (Routes 272 and 222), Peach Bottom, PA 17563
- Phone: 717-548-2531
- Website: facebook.com/events/1343472393352926/
- Auction start time: 8:15 AM
- Rawlinsville Fire Company
- April 11 & 12, 2025
- 33 Martic Heights Dr, Holtwood, PA 17532
- Phone: 717-284-3023
- Website: facebook.com/events/915483057402962
- Friday (Apr. 11) Start time: 5 PM
- Saturday (Apr. 12) Start time: 8 AM
- Schoeneck Fire Company
- April 19, 2025
- 125 N King St, Denver, PA 17517
- Phone: 717-336-6767
- Website: facebook.com/SchoeneckFireCompany/
May 2025
- Gratz Fire Company
- May 2 & 3, 2025
- 601 E Market St, Gratz, PA 17030
- Phone: 717-365-3121
- Website: facebook.com/gratzsale/
- Fivepointville Fire Company
- May 3, 2025
- 1078 Dry Tavern Road, Denver, PA 17517
- Phone: 717-445-4933
- Website: fivepointvillefire.net/annual-benefit-auction.html
- Start time: 8 AM
- Honey Brook Fire Company
- May 10, 2025
- Romano 4H Center, 1841 Horseshoe Pike, Honey Brook, PA 19344
- Phone: 610-273-2688
- Website: honeybrookfire.org
- Weaverland Valley Fire Company
- May 16 & 17, 2025
- Terre Hill Community Park, 210 Lancaster Avenue, Terre Hill, PA 17528
- Phone: 717-445-5072
- Website: facebook.com/p/Weaverland-Valley-Fire-Department-100064310066815/
June 2025
- Pequea Valley Fire Department / Kinzer Mud Sale
- June 6 & 7, 2025
- 3521 Lincoln Highway East, Kinzers, PA 17535
- Website: pvfd40.com/content/kinzer/
- Lancaster County Carriage and Antique Auction (benefits Bird-in-Hand Volunteer Fire Company)
- June 26 & 27, 2025
- 338 N. Ronks Road, Bird in Hand, PA 17505
- Website: bihfire.com/events/auction or facebook.com/BirdinHandAuction
- Refton Fire Company
- June 27 & 28, 2025
- 99 Church St., Refton, PA 17568
- Phone: 717-786-9462
- Website: facebook.com/ReftonFireCompany
August 2025
- Gap Relief Auction
- August 8 & 9, 2025
- Solanco Fairgrounds, Park Avenue, Quarryville, PA 17566
- Website: mcc.org/events/gap-relief-auction
- Friday (Aug. 8) Time: 4 PM – 9 PM
- Saturday (Aug. 9) Time: 8 AM – 2 PM
- Bareville Fire Company
- August 23, 2025
- 211 E. Main St., Leola, PA 17540
- Phone: 717-656-7554
- Website: barevillefire.com/fundraisers/
September 2025
- Pequea Valley Fire Department / Gordonville Fall Sale
- September 20, 2025
- 3204 Vigilant St./Old Leacock Road, Gordonville, PA 17529
- Phone: 717-768-3869
- Website: facebook.com/gordonvillesale
October 2025
- Cochranville Fire Company
- October 25, 2025
- 3135 Limestone Road, Cochranville, PA 19330
- Phone: 610-593-5800
Citations:
[1] https://ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/web/direct-files/1202624/17dd1c4f-9f2a-4ef0-b428-1e9111f4527a/paste.txt