Lancaster County

Carriage & Antique Auction

Thursday & Friday June 27-28, 2024

THANK YOU! The bidding and buying at this sale provides the Hand-in-Hand Fire Company with financial resources to continue their good work of fire protection in the Bird-in-Hand area.

About the Carriage & Antique Auction

VISION

For over 20 years the Lancaster County Carriage & Antique Auction has been a fun, family friendly summer market for everyone—from consigners, sellers, buyers and browsers. Over the years we’ve maintained our high standards, offering quality merchandise and continually striving to be fair and ethical while growing the auction by attracting more sellers and buyers.

We are excited it has turned into a destination for many travelers who find it to be an enjoyable day. It is pleasing to us when many satisfied people leave the grounds with their cars, pickup trucks and trailers full of one-of-a-kind finds when the auction is over.

ABOUT

Thousands of attendees come from everywhere. Hundreds of locals are volunteers. And there’s a sea of fascinating goods available—from antiques, furniture and tools to handmade quilts and crafts—plus carriages and miniature horses. This, and lots of tasty homemade food is enjoyed over two days in late June on spacious green farmland in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania.

It’s a memorable event filled with wholesome community spirit that attracts attendees from everywhere—year after year—bringing all kinds of people together.

Best of all, vital funds are raised for the Hand-in-Hand Fire Company, an all-volunteer fire company that, for over 100 years, has protected the Bird-in-Hand community and surrounding areas by responding to fires and other emergencies.

HISTORY

From a modest, carriage-makers’ reunion to a notable two-day auction and event that brings thousands of buyers, sellers, collectors and browsers from around the nation to tiny Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania.

In 2000, Amish buggy maker Jake King was planning a national reunion of carriage makers in the small central Pennsylvania town of Bird-in-Hand. With potential buyers among the carriage makers coming to Lancaster County for the reunion, he and local antiques dealer Elam Petersheim scoured their shops and barns for unwanted treasures, and announced that a small auction would take place a day before the reunion. News of the sale spread and 60 additional people showed up with items to consign. 

The auction was a success for all involved, and a fun addition to the reunion. Attendees encouraged King and Petersheim, as well as another local carriage maker, Paul Stoltzfus of Leola Coach Shop, to make the auction an annual event. For the next seven years the three held the auction at Petersheim’s farm nearby—with attendance growing steadily each year. In 2008 the sale moved back to Bird-in-Hand, where it was held on auction grounds made available by the Smucker family, where it’s still held today.

Today…more than 20 years later 

More than 20 years later the modest show has blossomed into one of the biggest carriage sales in the nation, and a notable East Coast summer attraction—The Lancaster County Carriage & Antique Auction.

Every year in June, on the last Thursday and Friday of the month, thousands of eager bidders and sellers mingle with other browsers, buyers and collectors under big white tents spread over acres of scenic green farmland. The auction attracts about 2,000 registered bidders each year among those who come to bring home special new treasures; and it requires an estimated 550 volunteers to make it all happen!

Handcrafted quilts. Fine antiques. Charming collectibles. Unique furniture. Tools. Vivid flowers and lush shrubs. Horse tack, including fine saddles, as well as carriage accessories. There are miniature horses and over 125 coaches and buggies sold on consignment—everything from gleaming new Amish buggies to ornate 19th century pleasure carriages. The sheer number and variety of goods at this signature Lancaster County event translates into something to catch everyone’s eye. 

And senses. There are stands selling cold drinks and homemade dishes, along with buttery pretzels and sweet whoopie pies. And energetic live auctions that gear up on Thursday, starting with the early bird auction in the afternoon. But for many, the most memorable part of the two-day event, and a reason the Lancaster County Carriage & Antique Auction has grown bigger with each passing year, is the pleasant congregating of people from all walks of life and locations, who’ve come together to enjoy a few hours together in this special summer setting.

SCHEDULE

GENERAL TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

This is a sample schedule, but things do change from year to year. 
** Times may change. See the sale day catalog on Friday morning for the final schedule. Rain or shine! **

NEXT DATES

THURSDAY & FRIDAY

2024 June 27-28

2025 June 26-27

2026 June 25-26

2027 June 24-25

2028 June 29-30

2029 June 26-27

THURSDAY –

  • 9:00 am Grab & go auction food will be ready earlier! Breakfast sandwiches, coffee, and more will be early, then changing over to lunch foods around noon.
  • 12:00 pm  Consignment Processing ENDS!
  • 3:00 pm  All-you-can-eat buffet or takeout – Pizza, wings, and other grab & go food
  • 3:30 pm  Early Bird Auction5 to 6 blocks will be selling shrubbery/flowers, crafts, antiques/ collectibles, small tack items, tools, and more. NOTE: No carriages will be sold until Friday
  • 4:00 pm Pony training session
  • 6:00 pm Miniature Horse & Pony Sale – Bring your family and enjoy the evening together. Maybe you’ll find the ideal pony for your children!
  • 9:00pm  End  – Gute Nacht!

FRIDAY – 

  • 8:00 am Antiques & Collectibles
  • 8:00 am Field Row Items
  • 8:00 am Shrubs, Flowers & Nursery Items* 
  • 8:00 am Harness, Tack, Carriage Appointments & Horse Related
  • 8:00 am Crafts
  • 8:00 am Wagon Loads of Misc. Household
  • 8:30 am Misc. Quilt Items
  • 9:00 am Coins Catalogued
  • 10:00 am Harness, Tack + Carriage Appointments Catalogued
  • 10:00 am Quilts – Catalogued
  • 10:00 am Furniture
  • 10:00 am Antiques Catalogued
  • 10:00 am New Tools
  • 12:00 pm Specialty Items + Shade trees
  • 1:00 pm Carriages (accessories sold first) – catalogued
  • 5:00 pm (approx.) End – Thank You!

*NOTE: All items on the nursery blocks are sold by the piece. Example: If 2 hanging baskets bring a $10 bid, then buyer purchases 2 baskets for $10 EACH ($20 total)

AUCTION

CONSIGNMENTS WANTED

  • Carriages, coaches, buggies, sleighs, wagon
  • Good antique items
  • Furniture
  • Blacksmith tools
  • New & used tools/equipment
  • Quilts (homemade/handstitched), crafts, collectibles
  • Horse & carriage related items
  • Miniature horses & ponies (40″ maximum)

    **No junk, appliances, or farm equipment except antique & primitive items like old hay wagons, walking plows, etc.

How to Consign

For more information or to list consignments, contact us:

Vendor Information

Welcome Vendors! Save your place! Benefit from our well-attended sale.

VENDOR SPACES:
$100.00 each (if payment is received before June 8)
$125.00 each (if payment is received AFTER June 8)
  • 10 X 10. or 100 Sq ft.
  • Booth may be set up any time after 12:00 noon on Thursday. 
  • Vendors are welcome to have their areas open during the Thursday evening Early Bird Auction 3:00-9:00 pm. 
  • Friday sale hours are 8:00 am – about 5:00 pm.
  • No tear-down before 4:00 pm on Friday
  • Prices do not include tables or chairs. 
  • Exhibitors are responsible for insurance on their products and equipment. 
  • Questions? Please contact Steve Esh 717-768-0304

Consignments Drop-off

Staff members will be present Tuesday through Thursday to help consignors unload their wares and display their goods. On Wednesday and Thursday there will be 24-hour security and on Thursday the food stand will be open from noon till dark.

2024 Consignments will be accepted:

Tues. June 25………………..8 am – 4 pm
Wed. June 26……………….. 8 am – 8 pm
Thurs. June 27…………….. 8 am – 12 Noon 

ABSOLUTELY NO CONSIGNMENTS after 12:00pm on Thursday.

MINI HORSES should be brought in Thursday morning. Horses must be consigned by general consignment by June 15, with a cap of 40 horses. They are sold in the order they’re consigned.

Need a hauler? Call the auction office at 717-945-2848 and leave a detailed message with name, address, phone, and what you need hauled. We have a handful of dependable individuals making regular trips to and from our area at competitive rates.

CommisSion Rates

ALL ITEMS except quilts, carriages & ponies

(Total combined sales per category) 
Total Sales…Minimum Commission…Commission Rate

$1 – 150…..$1.00…..25%
$151 – 500…..$37.50…..22.5%
$501 – 1,000…..$112.50…..20%
$1,001 – 1,500…..$200.00…..17.5%
$1,501 & Up…..$262.50……15%

CARRIAGES (per item)
Total Sales…Minimum Commission…Commission Rate
Up to $1,000…..$10.00…..15%
$1,001 – 1,500…..$150.00…..12.5%
$1,501 – 2,000…..$187.50…..10%
$2,001 & Up…..$200.00…..8%

QUILTS & RELATED ITEMS
(Total combined sales)
Total Sales…Minimum Commission…Commission Rate
$1 – 200…..$1.00…..15%
$201 – 1,000…..$30.00…..12.5%
$1,001 & Up…..$125.00…..10%

MINIATURE HORSES & PONIES (10%)

No reserves under $1,000 per item.
No sale fee is 3% or maximum $75.00.
No consignment checks will be sent out for less than $5.00.
100% commission rate applies to a single ticket bid of $1.00 due to cost of ticket, tag + time.

COINS (12.5%)

All proceeds benefit the Bird-in-Hand Fire Company.

DONATIONS

Your donation of an item generates 100% profit for the Fire Company. Here are some ideas:

• Gather a few friends to collaborate on a homemade project such as a quilt, piece of furniture, a gift basket, or something else.

• Pull together some business associates and donate a high value item for our noon specialty sale. We will recognize your businesses in our flyer and on the auction block.

Receipts for tax deductions are available for items over $250.

For questions or to donate an item, please contact Jake King 717-768-3299.

LODGING

LODGING

Stay at a Bird-in-Hand Property! The Bird-in-Hand family of properties are located in the historic village of Bird-in-Hand in the heart of Lancaster County’s Amish farmlands.

Choose from a variety of lodging properties for your stay:

  • Family lodging with an array of activities at the Bird-in-Hand Family Inn, located directly across from the auction grounds
  • Historic, upscale country lodging at the Bird-in-Hand Village Inn & Suites
  • Clean, friendly, affordable lodging at Amish Country Motel
  • Quaint country lodging at Travelers Rest Motel
  • Clean, quiet camping with spacious sites at Country Acres Campground

For more information or to make a reservation, call 800-665-8780 or visit Bird-in-Hand.com

MORE LODGING

AMISHVIEW INN & SUITES
ONLY 2 MILES FROM THE AUCTION GROUNDS!

Draw back the curtains and take it all in! Surrounded by Amish farms, AmishView Inn provides the intimate atmosphere of a bed & breakfast with the amenities of an upscale Lancaster, PA hotel. Room types include standard double queens, studio suites, one bedroom and two bedroom suites and the new, Grand King.

 

GREYSTONE MANOR BED & BREAKFAST
Owned by Lonnie Kauffman, a longtime Hand-in-Hand Fire Company Member.

Greystone Manor was developed from a Victorian mansion that was constructed in 1883 from a farmhouse built in the mid-1800’s, and it has been a bed & breakfast for over 50 years. Each of the rooms in the mansion are individually furnished, and some of them feature such items as stained glass windows, cut crystal doors, and original woodwork.

 
FOOD

FOOD

100% of the concession profits goes to the Fire Company, so go back for seconds! Besides the main food tent, you will find other stations throughout the grounds to grab a quick drink or bite to eat.  Menu items typically include:

  • Breakfast sandwiches
  • Bacon/Egg/Cheese or Sausage/Egg/Cheese
    Baked in Pretzel Dough – meats by Stoltzfus Meats
  • Ham & Cheese Sandwiches
  • Pulled Pork BBQ – donated by Miller’s Smorgasbord
  •  Subs
  • Hot Dogs & Sauerkraut
  • Hamburgers/Cheeseburgers
  • Soups: Chicken Corn, Ham & Potato Chowder
  • French Fries
  • Soft Pretzels w/ Cheese Sauce
  • Cheesedog wrapped in pretzel dough
  • Fruit Cup donated by Kegel’s Produce
  • Homemade Donuts (made on site)
  • Whoopie Pies
  • Pie Slices (community made)
  • Homemade Ice Cream – WATCH THE FUN!
  • Homemade Drinks: Iced Coffee, Iced Tea, Lemonade
  • Homemade Fruit Smoothies  – donated by Kegel’s Produce
  • Drinks: Coffee, Gatorade, Turkey Hill Drinks, Soda, Water
  • Bottled Water donated by JM Lapp Plumbing & Heating
  • Ice Cream Trailer: Root Beer Floats,
  • Milkshakes, Sundaes, Waffle w/ Ice Cream
SECURITY

SECURE AREA FOR PURCHASED ITEMS

Centrally located on the auction grounds, a secure area will be available to store your purchases for a few hours while you continue to bid. SAVE YOUR TICKET STUBS! They are required to check items out of this area and before leaving the auction grounds.

 

SECURITY NOTICE: How the Checkout Process Works

SAVE YOUR TICKET STUBS! They are required to check out merchandise before leaving auction grounds. A secure area is available to keep your merchandise after purchase. You will need your ticket to check items out of this area.

PARKING

PARKING

  • Plenty of parking is available in the fields adjacent to the auction grounds. Fire police will direct you.
  • Bringing a trailer or RV to the sale?  Not sure where to park?  Enter from N. Ronks Rd. and look for signs on the NORTHWEST side of the auction grounds.  Help us fit lots of trailers by parking close together.  We’ve had requests about parking overnight in this area.  You are welcome to do so at your own risk.

 

RESTROOMS

We may be in the country, but we provide more than a barn for your comfort needs! Clean portable toilets and handwashing stations are located throughout the auction grounds.

 

ACCESSIBILITY

Parking is available on farming fields. Some areas may be uneven or muddy during rainfall but generally, you will find the area fairly flat and easy to manage strollers, wheelchairs, and wagons. 

IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE

Please contact an event staff volunteer for any security, emergency or first aid needs.

TERMS

WAIT TIME

Please expect up to a 30 minute wait after purchasing items before attempting to pay for them. Our clerks work as quickly as possible. Thanks for your cooperation.

 

LOADING TIMES

There will be staff available to help. We have lifts available for heavy items. Small off road equipment to assist in transporting goods will be available, along with extra hands! No vehicle traffic is permitted through the auction complex before 3:00 pm Friday. Items may still be loaded during this time, but please do not disrupt the auction.

 

TERMS

  1. This is not an absolute auction.
  2. Cash/check/credit card settlement on day of sale. Visa/Mastercard/Discover are accepted, subject to 3% processing fee. All checks must be accompanied by a bank letter of credit or be given prior approval by a Sale Committee Member.
  3. No sales tax or buyers premiums.
  4. Unsettled accounts will be turned over to a bill collector.
  5. Owner has 2 days to remove merchandise from Sale Grounds, after which (unless other arrangements are made) the Sale Committee will dispose of items as seen fit.
  6. The Sale Grounds are closed on Sundays.
  7. Sale Committee is not responsible for the condition of any item sold. Please inspect your items before purchasing.
  8. Sale Committee is not responsible for any accidents, injuries or thefts that may occur on the Sale Grounds.
  9. Items resold privately will be subject to a commission fee.


EMERGENCY WEATHER PLAN

In the event of severe weather, we suggest taking shelter in your personal vehicle.  Auction Committee is NOT responsible for any weather related accidents or damage.  They will do their best to give warning of pending bad weather.

 

RIGHT TO REFUSE

The Carriage Auction’s goal is to create a good, clean environment for families, bidders, consignors, and our community volunteers. We ask that vendors and consignors respect this environment and refrain from offering items that are discriminatory, degrading, racial, or drug- and alcohol-related. The Committee reserves the right to refuse any consignors, vendors, or items that do not meet these guidelines or are otherwise deemed unacceptable. We consider attendees and vendors to be our Guests for the day on our auction grounds. 

 

MISREPRESENTATION

Misrepresentation of an item (i.e. presenting a reproduction as an antique) is not acceptable.  Please help us run a clean, honest auction!

CONTACT

CONTACT US

For more information or to list consignments, call or write: 

Auction Office / General Info: 717-945-2848

Hand-in-Hand Fire Company c/o LCCAA 

313 Enterprise Drive • Bird-in-Hand, PA 17505 

  • Carriages & General Consignments: 
    Jake King 717-768-3299 or Paul Stoltzfus 717-656-0038
  • Tack & Harness: Ephraim Fisher 717-768-8484
  • Mini Horses: Amos Zook 717-556-0378
  • Quilts: Christian A. Stoltzfus 717-397-4079
  • Crafts: Christ J. Stoltzfus 717-768-0684
  • Field: Gideon Stoltzfus 717-768-3465
  • Shrubbery: Ephraim Huyard 717-656-1444
  • Coins: Steven Stoltzfus 717-725-1383
  • Antique Tent: David & Aaron King 717-768-7523
  • Vendors: Steve Esh 717-768-0304
  • Accounts Receivable: Sam King 717-278-3683
DIRECTIONS

DIRECTIONS TO AUCTION GROUNDS

When using a navigation system to find the auction grounds, use this address and it will take you directly to the parking field.
(For GPS purposes only. This is NOT a mailing address):

338 North Ronks Road
Bird in Hand, PA 17505
(Rt. 340, across from Bird-in-Hand Family Inn & Restaurant)

*TRAILERS & RVs – Enter off N. Ronks Rd. and look for signs in the northwest area.  Remember to park close together, so we can fit lots of trailers and RVs in this section.  You are welcome to park overnight, but it is at your own risk.

“Thank you to our INCREDIBLY DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS. This auction could not operate without you!”