Mud sales, named for the condition of the thawing ground in late winter and early spring, are major fundraisers for the volunteer fire companies throughout Amish communities. They are huge events, sometimes drawing as many as 20,000 people, where everything from hand-stitched quilts (donated by the Amish women's groups) and locally-made crafts to livestock, furniture, produce, baked goods, antiques, housewares, even the kitchen sink are all up for bid. In a sight that may seem like organized chaos to novice mud sale visitors, six or seven auctions are conducted simultaneously as Amish and "English" mill together over the many items bound for the auction block.