Stuff Mennonites Like #4

The MCC SALE

The super-mennonites arrive on Friday night to help setup and stake your claim on the 'good' things early.

If you're just an average mennonite, you go saturday morning; the deals are ripe and the prozelki are warm.

You arrive. Drive around the parking lot looking for the best spot (close to the door; shorter distance to haul either a) your purchases or b) your fat self after eating too many verenki). Only 10 minutes have gone by and you already snagged one! You camped out as someone was pulling out of a spot, and got one of your passengers to jump out and stand in the spot so no one else would take it. Perfectly executed.

Before you're even inside the door you see 2 families you know. "Hey it's the Toews! And oh look, the Friesens are leaving! My, they must have been up with the rooster today."

Once in the doors, you stand still for a bit, and wait for the first flock of relatives to notice you. Only 5 this time. Drat. I was hoping to get this part over with.

Next you do the scan for people you want to talk to. After seeking out these individuals, at least 3 of them will say "Oh, I'm here with my cousin. She's a Froese, I think you're related." (Yes, you are.) I like to call this the Family Tree Connection*

* Due to this game, many of the single teenagers attending the MCC sale have learned to turn off their "future spouse" radar*

If you are over the age of 50, you will most likely head to the Quilt Auction first, then the pies.

30-40 yrs will search for the fresh&best pies before they're all gone.

20-30 year olds head to the "garage sale" section for some bargains for their homes, as well as the produce and baking stands for some homegrown watermelon and some fresh baked rolkuchen.

10-20 GIRLS: jewellery and books BOYS: wooden toys and crafts

6-10 GIRLS: costumes and stuffed animals BOYS: toys and trucks

Kids 12 and under usually have their own area with lots of games and prizes.

Every mennonite in the lower mainland is as the sale at Lunch Time. Whether they're just arriving, or just leaving, this is the best time to meet up with relatives you haven't seen in ages! I suggest you do this while standing in line for your vereneki, because trying to hug your great aunt while balancing a plate of white goop is not a good idea.

By early afternoon, the casual drop-ins and the young families have trickled out. Now all that remain are the "hard-cores" They are patiently waiting. Waiting, waiting, waiting.... for that longed-for announcement

"Everything in the Garage Sale is now %50 off!"

There will be a mad flurry of  the "Inexperienced Hard-Cores"

The seasoned Mennonites are waiting for this final announcement, usually made 30min before the Sale is over.

"Everything in the Garage Sale is now Free!"

One year when I was there with my family and some friends, We heard that announcement while finishing up dessert. We weren't interested in anything there, so we stayed put. A few minutes later, a 8 year old Kody comes up to us, face flushed and smiling. He's holding a wooden picture frame, an old chipped mug, and a small plastic plate.

We laughed and laughed, asked him if he really needed these things, and then he put away everything but the plate.

We still have that plate.

Join us this year for the MCC Sale in September, and you too will get to experience these wonderful Mennonite Festivities!