Thirty-fourth Annual Mennonite Country Auction set for Oct. 1

Crisp autumn air, endless blue sky, apple butter cooking in a copper kettle over an open fire, smoked German sausage on a stick, Mennonite and Amish quilts in an array of patterns and colors, auctioneers barking prices: Those will be the sights, sounds and smells of the Mennonite Country Auction and Relief Sale on Saturday, Oct. 1, at Menno Mennonite Church near Ritzville.

Now in its 34th year, the Mennonite Country Auction raises funds for Mennonite Central Committee, a relief and development agency of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ Churches.

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) was born in 1920 to help victims of war and famine in Russia and the Ukraine. Today, MCC has more than 1,000 workers in 53 countries around the world, responding to human need in the midst of poverty, war and natural disaster. Since 1977, Mennonite Country Auction has raised almost $2 million for this work “in the name of Christ.”

This year’s event starts with breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. Food and craft booths open at 10 a.m. International crafts are on sale at “Ten Thousand Villages.” Other craft booths sell antiques, quilters’ supplies, fabric and unique collectibles.

Food items include smoked sausage, fresh-pressed apple cider, Canadian pure maple syrup, homemade pie and ice cream, kraut runzas, stone-ground wheat flour and corn meal, Troyer Amish cheeses and a variety of homemade breads and other baked goods.

The auction begins at noon and highlights homemade Amish and Mennonite quilts. Also auctioned will be handcrafted wooden items, afghans, wall hangings, antiques and an variety of other treasures. For the second year, there will be a children’s auction at 11 with special items for the kids. At about 9:30 a.m., before the booths open, Christian musician Sherri Farmer from Evergreen, Colo., will perform on the main auction stage.

Admission and parking are free. For more information, directions, map and photos of auction items is available online at http://mennonitecountryauction.mennonite.net or by phone at (509) 659-0926.