The Pennsylvania Farm Show will have additional importance when it opens in January.
Besides highlighting the role of agriculture in the state, the 110th edition will kick off a year of America250PA special events and celebrations bringing millions of visitors to the state recognizing Pennsylvania’s leading role in the founding of our American democracy, officials said in a release.
“America was born in Pennsylvania, with its identity deeply rooted in agriculture,” state Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said in a release. “Two hundred and fifty years later, Pennsylvania agriculture is still leading our nation, supplying the economic power, ingenuity, and innovation that is growing our nation’s future.
“Farm Show celebrates the outstanding products and people who make up our powerhouse agriculture and food industry, supporting 600,000 jobs pouring more than $132.5 billion into our state economy, including exports of more than $4 billion in agriculture and forest products — not only keeping our heritage alive, but supplying innovative solutions to our nation’s greatest challenges.
The theme of the Farm Show, which runs Jan. 10 through 17, is “Growing a Nation.”
The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250PA) was established by the state in 2018 to plan, encourage, develop and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S.
“America250PA is proud to partner with the largest indoor agricultural exposition in the nation,” said America250PA Executive Director Cassandra Coleman. “For generations, Pennsylvania farmers — whether under the summer sun or by the light of a harvest moon — have done the work that helped the American experiment grow and thrive for 250 years.”
Every year, officials said, the Farm Show brings a half-million visitors to the capitol city for eight days of competition and family fun with an educational twist at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg.
It will feature fan-favorites like the 1,000-pound butter sculpture, food court, thousands of competitive agricultural events, homegrown celebrity cooking demonstrations and hands-on agriculture education opportunities and chances to engage with the people who are growing Pennsylvania and the nation through agriculture.
The show runs Jan. 10 to17 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, except Jan. 11, when it runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Jan. 17, when it opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. Admission is free. Parking in Farm Show Complex lots is $15 per vehicle.
The PA Preferred Food Court in the Expo Hall opens for a public preview from noon to 9 p.m. on Jan. 9.
For a schedule of events, go to pa.gov/agencies/farmshow/pa-farm-show/daily-schedule.