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The 100th Pennsylvania Farm Show started on Saturday, January 9, at the PA Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. The theme for this year is “Our Commonwealth’s Blue Ribbon Experience.”

Governor Tom Wolf spoke during the opening ceremony. “Agriculture is a tremendous resource that fuels our economy,” said Governor Wolf. “These goods generate billions of dollars for our economy and employ tens of thousands of people.” The opening ceremony also included demonstrations from the Pennsylvania State Police Mounted Drill Team and a parade of horses pulling various farming equipment throughout the last century. The Pennsylvania Fair Queen, Alana Eisenhour, also made an appearance.

According to www.farmshow.state.pa.us, the Farm Show is the “largest indoor agricultural exposition in the nation, with nearly 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits and 300 commercial exhibits.” The first Farm Show first took place in 1917, and was a three-day exhibit.

The competitive exhibits will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. the 9th through the 15th and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the 16th. Commercial exhibits are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. the 9th through the 15th and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the 16th.

The Pennsylvania High School Rodeo Association held their rodeo event on opening night, but rodeo lovers will have a second chance to see more action during the professional First Frontier Circuit Finals Rodeo, held on the 14th, 15th and 16th. Tickets can be purchased at the Farm Show.

A highlight of the show is the life-size butter sculpture created by sculptors Jim Victor and Marie Pelton and made out of over 1,000 pounds of butter.

Other things to see at the Pennsylvania Farm Show include:

The history of the Pennsylvania Farm Show. As a nod to the 100th anniversary, visitors will be able to see “history walls” where photographs will line the walls and tell the story of the Show.

Become an Ag Explorer – There will be learning stations set up where visitors can learn about agriculture through hands-on activities.

Weis Farm-to-Shelf Display – This exhibit will show the journey of our food from farm to the grocery store.

Plus a plethora of vendors, including the PA Beekeepers Association, Penn State University College of Ag Science, Knoebels Amusement Resort, PA Fish & Boat Commission and much more.

Admission is free. Parking is $15. The Farm Show will continue through the 16th.