Mennonite Auction

What has gotten people traipsing out into the country to the Mennonite Country Auction the first Saturday in October for 40 years?

Held at Menno Mennonite Church halfway between Moses Lake and Ritzville (1378 N. Damon Road, Ritzville), the Mennonite churches of Washington – and around the country and Canada – have raised over two and a half million dollars for relief through the Mennonite Central Committee. This year’s festival will be held on October 7, 2017. Breakfast starts at 7 a.m., booths open at 10 a.m. and the auction starts at noon.

Some things to know before you go:

1. It’s for charity. The event supports the work of Mennonite Central Committee throughout the world. That may mitigate any guilt you might have for “over-eating” while you are there.

2. There will be lines. Saturday morning, the line for cheese, sausage, hams and bacon will start forming way before the booths open at ten. You may want to leave someone in those lines while you go to the line to get pancakes and sausages for breakfast. That line opens early.

3. Yes, there is pie and ice cream. A table full of pieces of pie – almost any kind you can think of, and there’s home-made ice cream to put on it! Watch for the ice cream cart as it comes around!

4. Bring a cooler. Be prepared to take food home. You’ll want somewhere to stash the bacon, cheese, sausage and/or ham you bought earlier. If you are lucky, you may even get some Kraut Ranza for later lunches. Save room for a jug of fresh apple cider, a jar of apple butter, and some baked goodies.

5. Bring your appetite. You may want to take a quick look around the grounds before you decide what you are going to eat. Kraut Ranza, Sausage on a Stick, hamburgers, German green bean soup, or a dinner plate of ribs.

6. Discover something new. Have you ever eaten a New Year’s Cookie? Find out what these favorites are and watch them being made.

7. Watch apple cider being crushed. Have a refreshing glass while you watch and/or buy a jug to take home.

8. Listen and enjoy barbershop gospel as the Liberty Quartet performs on the grounds at 10:30 a.m.

9. See wheat flour being ground. You’ll be able to purchase freshly ground wheat flour for your home baking.

10. Buy some warm apple butter. Fresh from its copper pot, made in front of your eyes.

11. Check out the quilts! Quilts, both tied and hand quilted, afghans and wall hangings will be on display in the morning so that you can get a close look before the auction starts at noon. Quilts for the auction come from all over the country and range from baby quilts to king-size, along with wall hangings.

12. Get a free auction number. You’ll have a chance to bid on a whole range of fun items: A loaf of bread, Seahawks tickets, patio side tables, furniture, quilts, afghans, etc. The auction begins at noon.

13. Empty your change jar. Help fund the My Coins Count kids’ project, supporting water pump projects, by dropping your loose change into their collection jug.

14. Coffee! Lots of free-trade coffee available with free refills when you purchase your first cup and a mug!

15. Bring your Christmas list. A Ten Thousand Village shop with baskets, trinkets, toys and jewelry from around the world will help fill your shopping list. The Recycled Spoon craftsmen will have silver plate jewelry at their booth.

Don’t forget, it’s all for charity. Plan for a fun family fall outing and join us in helping people throughout the world!