Lancaster County is well known for its large population of members of the plain community. The horse and buggy have become emblematic of the area's culture and large number of Mennonite and Amish residents, and most members of the greater community are familiar with at least a few of the plain community's customs and traditions. In parts of the county such as the Southern End, many Amish and Mennonite individuals are members of their local fire departments, and they often share their culture with fellow firefighters. West Willow Fire Company, located at 192 West Willow Road, Willow Street, will host an Amish wedding meal fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 23, to offer the community a taste of traditional Amish cooking and to raise money for the fire department.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and meals will be available to purchase at a set price, with eat-in and takeout options available. A discounted price will be offered to children between 4 and 14 years old. Each meal will include a chicken and stuffing casserole, mashed potatoes, creamed celery, a dessert and a drink.

Although many other fire departments such as Intercourse Fire Company regularly host Amish wedding meal fundraisers, this is the first year West Willow Fire Company will hold one of its own. The fundraiser was proposed by the fire department's Amish members and the plain community in West Willow Fire Company's service area, which includes Pequea Township and the surrounding Lancaster area. Members of the Amish community expressed their desire to support the West Willow Fire Company to the organization's president, Martin Harnish, and they offered to prepare the meal themselves.

Amish weddings traditionally feature the same meal, and the recipe is designed to feed hundreds of guests. Harnish said the fundraising meal will feed about 350 people, and volunteers will begin preparing the food the day before the event.

"Amish firefighters and members of the organization really pushed for this and came up with the idea to have a traditional wedding meal," Harnish said. "They're supplying everything and taking charge of the cooking, and all funds that come in will go to the fire company."

The Amish wedding meal fundraiser will be the first event West Willow Fire Company has hosted since the renovation of its fire hall in 2024. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the fire department frequently hosted takeout meals and chicken barbecue fundraisers. In recent years, West Willow Fire Company has held an annual gun giveaway drawing as its primary fundraiser.

For more information, contact middlewillow@gmail.com.