WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT THIS YEAR? The 2013 Pennsylvania Farm Show runs until Jan. 12 with old and new favorites and new attractions for all ages.
The theme of the 97th edition of the show, Made in Pennsylvania, It Makes A Difference, puts the focus on how agriculture drives the state’s economy, as part of PA Preferred, the official program of agriculture commodities grown or made in Pennsylvania.
The Culinary Connection will feature cooking demonstrations and contests with special events like the Celebrity Best Cheeseburger Showdown and demonstrations by a number of chefs including Justin Miller and Dave Lieberman and honey and maple syrup producers.
Also new this year is the Great Grape Stomp, with teams of barefoot celebrities competing for top honors and the chance for audience members to vote for their favorite team. Attendees can also enter to win a winery tour and visit the wine tasting area in the Main Hall, which features free samples of wine from across the state and wine for sale.
The food court returns with its popular beef and pork sandwiches, baked potatoes, and milk shakes as well as several new items including veal meatball sandwiches, grilled sausage with peppers and onions, pumpkin funnel cakes, and cherry pie offered by commodity groups from around the state.
Take in polo demonstration in the equine arena at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 10, visit the new hobby lobby exhibits in the family living center that feature competitions from a duct tape contest to decorated bowling pins and sneakers, as well as gourd crafts, clay flowerpots and pincushions.
In addition the always popular apple pie and chocolate cake judging, fudge and cupcake contests have been added this year and new honey products to be judged include sauces, beverages and salad dressings.
Young beef farmers and their prize winning cattle will be recognized thanks to the new junior beef breeding supreme champion pageant.
There are show favorites like livestock judging and horse pulls, square dancing tractors and a horseshoe pitching contest, the butter sculpture, the high school rodeo, fashion show, carriage racing and an outdoor power equipment showcase.
ONLINE Pennsylvania Farm Show – http://www.farmshow.state.pa.us/
Farm show slideshow – http://www.yorkblog.com/buffy/2013/01/04/pennsylvania-farm-show-slideshow/
Raw feed of social media content coming from farm show – http://www.yorkblog.com/buffy/pennsylvania-farm-show/
IF YOU GO: The Pennsylvania Farm Show will be until Jan. 12 at the Pennsylvania Complex & Expo Center, North Cameron and Maclay Streets, Harrisburg.
Show hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 5 through 11 and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 12
Parking is available in the north lot.
Off-site parking is available at Elmerton Avenue and Sycamore Street and (Please watch for signs off Cameron Street). Parking is $10. Take the free shuttle to the Cameron Street entrance of the complex.
QUICK TIPS: Best time to arrive: between 9 a.m. and noon
Busiest time of day: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Parking is $10 at all farm show complex operated lots.
Two off-site parking lots are available:
East of the complex at Elmerton Avenue and Sycamore Street and at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) on Wildwood Park Drive, directly north of the complex.
Handicapped parking is available at all parking lots operated by the farm show.
Complimentary shuttle service is available. Shuttle buses are identified by the name of the parking area.
Write down the name of the parking lot and the general location of your vehicle.
