I almost hesitate to write this review for fear I will spoil this special place . If you drive 2…read morehours north to Amish Country where Mt. Hope Auction is located, you will have seemingly arrived on another planet, in another time. If you want to avoid the typical tourist traps and experience something like from the movie "Witness", this is a trip you must make.
The auction is HELD ONLY ON WEDNESDAY. That probably is a good thing, to avoid being overrun by, what is known to the Amish, as the English (that would be me). This is the place where Amish families come to buy, sell and trade their goods. I have been a few times now and find it utterly fascinating (I think they find me fascinating too) to hear the language, see the dress, horses and buggies.....just the tradition of the auction. Livestock, flowers, vegetables, clothing, kitchenware, tools, weapons, etc.etc. are available for purchase. Lots of things are literally auctioned off, but also you can just buy whatever. You can negotiate anything. The best time to buy food from the local gardens is in late summer or fall, otherwise most of it comes from the grocer. Still, it is cheaper and way much better than you would find at Giant Eagle and Krogers. Bringing a cooler sometimes is a good idea. BTW, it can be really dusty, so don't dress up.
Along the way, you can stop in Charm, Ohio and visit both Miller's bakery and Hershburger's Farm. Both good places to buy bake goods. Hershburgers has more options of tasty bites such as popcorn, jams, noodles, honey, syrup, relishes, sausage, cheese, eggs, chocolates and whatever else I can't think of at the moment. There is an animal petting area for the kiddies which includes Big Ben, the biggest darn horse this city girl has ever seen. For real, BIG. Along the winding way, other sites include the longest covered bridge and Killbuck Marsh, wetlands. Oh and if you can't resist, there is always the traditional tourist trap in Berlin.
I feel like I must say this......please be respectful of the Amish. They do not like to have their picture taken. Maybe a buggy shot would work instead.
