Each year, more than half a million visitors – and 6,000 animals - arrive at the Pennsylvania Farm Show. So, it doesn’t come as a surprise that this particular event is hailed as the nation’s largest indoor agricultural exposition. And while we can’t unveil what this year’s butter sculpture will be (trust us, we tried!), we can give you a few farm show facts and hints.
Starting with the step up! Prep has already started for the show in January. This includes cleaning and organizing. Some large groups that attend the show start moving in as early as December 16, which is roughly three weeks in advance of the show’s opening day.
THINGS TO EAT
Milkshakes are a farm show must. The Dairymen’s Association makes 140,000 milkshakes every year. This year, the shakes will be served in eco-friendly cups. The cups are 100% compostable and made from residue derived entirely from plants. If you like the milkshakes, one additional food to try is the honey ice cream. Considered one of the hidden gems of the Farm Show, this tasty treat is made by the Pennsylvania Bee Keepers Association.
Looking for more to eat? The Food Court, located in the Expo Hall and Main Hall, offers tons of delicious PA products. Proceeds of the Food Court support non-profit PA Agricultural Commodity Organizations.
The PA Preferred Banquet hall is a great place to check for samples of PA produced foods. There’s even a wine tasting area to sample vintages from some of Pennsylvania’s best vineyards.
THINGS TO SEE
If your little ones love to learn, then check out the AgExplorer stations. There are roughly twenty located throughout the complex. These stations are the perfect overview of all things Pennsylvania agriculture including the PA Woodmobile, horse logging, PA native wildlife, and soil health.
At the Family Living section, located on the East Side of the Main Hall, you can find a wide variety of craft contests, recipe contests, and make-and-take items for kids! You can also see demonstrations of chair caning, wheat weaving, lace making, blacksmithing, and spinning & weaving.
The Alpaca Show debuted last year and was a huge hit. Check out this year’s show on Tuesday, January 10 at 8 AM – 4 PM in the Equine Arena. You can also purchase items made from Alpaca wool from various vendors at the show.
FUN FACTS
More cheese, please! Each year, 30,000 toothpicks are used to give out cheese samples.
The more the merrier! The PA Farm Show Complex and Expo Center spans 24 acres, which makes it easy to accommodate the visitors and the animals.
Farm show news! More than 80 news releases are written by the Farm Show Press Office and thousands of photos are taken throughout the week.
We’ll leave you with this final tip. The best time to visit the Farm Show is between 9 AM and noon. The busiest times at the show are weekends and weekdays from 3:30 – 5:30 PM. So plan accordingly!
Be sure to check out all the action at the 2017 Farm Show taking place January 7 – 14.