There’s just something about the small rural town of Grabill, Indiana. Despite being located in the heart of Amish farm country and nowhere near a major traffic thoroughfare, it has been able to thrive through good times and bad for 120 years. The hard-working spirit of its townspeople has produced a variety of successful businesses and a Chamber of Commerce that tirelessly works to promote the friendliness of the town. And this friendliness is genuine, as evidenced by an exciting community event on Friday, July 8: the Grabill Chamber of Commerce & Amish Community Benefit Auction.
2022 is the 68th anniversary for this annual tradition – 19 years older than its better known counterpart, the Grabill Country Fair. The Chamber Auction has always been the major fundraiser for the Grabill business group, but the event has become much more than that in recent years. Members of both the Amish and the “English” communities have been combining efforts since 2013 to use the Benefit Auction to provide support for charitable causes in the Grabill area. Not only will part of this year’s proceeds go to the Chamber, but a sizable amount will be given to cover overwhelming costs for the families of three special needs Amish children.
For the second straight year, the Benefit Auction will be held at the spacious Lengacher Auction Barn, just a few miles northeast of Grabill at 16705 Campbell Road, Spencerville. The festivities will actually begin at 10:00 the morning of July 8 with an Amish Bake Sale being offered all day long, offering delicious homemade pies, cookies, bread, and noodles. Starting at 4:00pm, you and your family can make a donation and enjoy a hearty Amish Dinner, including “Kentucky Fried Catfish” and Toby Graber’s secret recipe grilled chicken. Boxed dinners will be available for carry out.
At 6:00pm you can begin placing your bids during the auction for a unique collection of merchandise donated by Grabill area businesses, such as tools, food items, hunting equipment, gardening supplies, lawn furniture, or coupons to local merchants. An entertaining group of auctioneers will make the bidding lots of fun right up until the last item is sold under the big top tent.
Other enjoyable features throughout the event include homemade ice cream, a candy booth, and Common Grounds Coffeehouse on site serving lemonade, iced mocha, and “Breezers.”
If your business or organization would like to participate in this charity project by donating an item to be auctioned, call Marvin & Ada Schmucker at 260-410-8110 or Christian Community Health Care at 260-627-2242, extension 7.
Invite your family and friends to join you this Friday for some scrumptious food, old-fashioned amusement, and a chance to make a difference for area families in need of our help.
