We have the most interesting year-round markets in our region, the largest being the St Jacobs Farmers Market which is north of the city. On Friday and Saturday, a large horse auction was held on the grounds of the market. This is a significant event for the region's Old Order Mennonite population and they came in large numbers. The horses I saw auctioned were sold in the three to four thousand dollar range. It is not unusual for a larger buggy to be pulled by two horses making their transportation costs similar to the purchase of a used car.
I find it interesting to watch the Old Order Mennonite children. They are well behaved and participate in adult activities without complaint or special attention. I also had to smile when I heard the descriptions of the horses before they were led into the ring. Some were featured as "buggy broke" "church broke" and "traffic broke" along with their age, parentage and current owner.
I didn't have much time to linger on Saturday after we did our market shopping but managed to take enough photos to put this short movie/slide show together.
Well done. It's interesting and fun and always perplexing how they decide what can be modern and what can't be as I see some of their clothes are modern.
ReplyDeleteSo interesting to live near a culture like that. I've been to Shipshewana in Indiana a few times, and always enjoy it, particularly enjoying the Mennohof museum.
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