HARRISBURG, Pa. — Now that the holidays are over, and winter has Pennsylvania firmly in its grip, it’s time for a commonwealth tradition ongoing for more than a century — the PA Farm Show.
“The PA Farm Show is the stage where Pennsylvania’s $132.5 billion agriculture industry and its people and what they produce shine together in thousands of competitions and educational, entertaining events,” said Gov. Josh Shapiro in the show’s visitor’s guide.
“Whether you’re a seasoned competitor vying for a blue ribbon, annual visitor or a first-timer, we’re glad you’ve joined us to celebrate the power of Pennsylvania agriculture and the people who make it happen.”
The 109th PA Farm Show opens this weekend in the state capital, kicking off a week of competitions, demonstrations and more.
Billed as the largest indoor agricultural event in the world, it includes 24 acres of animals, as well as displays and educational booths. While there is no exact attendance count because entry is free, officials estimate the event draws more than 500,000 people each year.
And, of course, there are milkshakes and a 1,000-pound butter sculpture.
“If you’re a young person or anyone seeking a field to put your passions and skills to work, we hope you find inspiration to power your imagination and envision a career in agriculture,” Shapiro said. “The PA Farm Show Complex and Expo Center is a million square-foot classroom where you can meet the farmers and producers who care for animals, raise crops across rural fields and city plots indoors and out, harvest valuable hardwoods, protect our precious land and water resources, and ensure a safe, nutritious food supply to feed our communities and the world.
“You’ll learn about the innovations they are imagining, and the investments we are making together, to become healthier, and more profitable and sustainable for tomorrow.”
Times, parking
The PA Farm Show runs for a week, from Friday through Saturday, Jan. 11, at the PA Farm Show Complex & Expo Center, 2300 N. Cameron St.
However, the Food Court is the only area available to visitors on opening day, from noon to 9 p.m. All other exhibits open 8 a.m. Saturday.
While admission is free, parking costs $15, and only credit cards are accepted.
There are two off-site lots that provide a free shuttle service to the show, at Elmerton Avenue and Sycamore Drive, as well as at Harrisburg Area Community College on Wildwood Drive.
The best time to arrive, officials said, is between 9 a.m. and noon. The busiest times are from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekends and weekdays.
What’s the theme?
The theme for this year’s PA Farm Show is “Powering Pennsylvania.”
“Powering Pennsylvania is the perfect theme for the 2025 Farm Show, as agriculture and businesses like Oregon Dairy are truly the backbone of the Commonwealth’s economy,” said Rick Siger, secretary of the state Department of Community and Economic Development. “That’s why agriculture is one of the five key industries we’re focusing on in Pennsylvania’s economic development strategy."
Last year’s theme — Connecting Our Communities — was announced at the West Ward Farmers Market in Easton. The announcement came after eight local organizations joined together to develop a sustainable food infrastructure program with local farmers.
What’s new this year?
There’s a handful of new competitions, demonstrations, foods and speakers this year, including turkey showmanship, which is debuting as a new competition category.
“Market turkeys will be shown and included in the Jr. Market Livestock Sale that helps fund the animals the students raise over the next year,” officials said. “Ornamental eggs, feathers, and market birds are back for 2025, while other poultry classes are still limited to photos to protect our $7.1 billion poultry industry from the spread of avian influenza.”
Officials from PPL on Thursday morning in the Equine Arena will hold a live line electrical safety demonstration, where participants can “learn how to protect your farm, yourself, and your family from accidents around power lines and other electrical and power-generating equipment.”
There will also be Highland cows from Swartz Farm in Mohnton, Berks County, for pictures and pets.
New foods, found at the Food Court, in the Expo Hall and the Main Hall, include the PA Cooperative Potato Growers’ potato cakes and the Mushroom Farmers of Pennsylvania’s original breaded mushrooms with a new hot honey drizzle.
The PA Dairymen’s Association has a new milkshake flavor, mint, as well as a pepper Jack grilled cheese.
At 1 p.m. Sunday, Jet Tila, a Food Network star, cookbook author and restaurateur, will run a pad Thai and pork satay cooking demonstration on the PA Preferred Culinary Connection Stage.
Temple Grandin, a professor and best-selling author, is scheduled to speak at 9 a.m. Thursday in the Small Arena.
“Her speech and a fireside chat will kick off a half-day series of conversations, interactive demos, and networking opportunities celebrating some of the powerful women who are leading Pennsylvania agriculture today and shaping the industry tomorrow,” officials said.
Lehigh Valley competes
Residents from both Lehigh and Northampton counties are entered in various competitions, including livestock categories, potatoes, family living and commodities.
There are six Lehigh County 4-H'ers competing in the junior livestock shows Saturday and Sunday, from swine and sheep to beef. There are more than a dozen competing in Tuesday’s potato grading competition.
For commodities, which includes divisions like honey products, nut foods, photography, fruit foods, maple syrup, mashed potato candy and more, about 50 out of more than 1,400 entries come from the Lehigh Valley.
Under the family living category, more than 60 out of about 2,500 entries come from the Valley. Those divisions include basketry, hand-knitted, quilt blocks, and cakes and cookies, among others.
There are also two commercial exhibitors based in the Valley slated to be at the show — the Sustainable Energy Fund of Central Eastern PA, of Schnecksville in Lehigh County, and the National Museum of Industrial History, based in Bethlehem.
