If you don't already know, the beginning of January is some of the busiest times for farms and 4H groups all across PA because it's Farm Show time!!

This year is the 101st celebration of the Pennsylvania Farm Show! It is the largest indoor agricultural event in the United States, housed in the PA Farm Show Complex and Expo Center. It is located in the PA state capital, Harrisburg and runs from January 6-January 14 this year.

People from all over the state of Pennsylvania come to share everything from livestock they have raised over the year to clothes that they have made specifically to display at the Farm Show. The livestock shows are what I am most familiar with as I have exhibited animals at the Farm Show before with my 4H group, Manatawna/Saul. There are shows for both breeding and market animals, the market animals being shown mostly by youth under the age of 18 and the breeding animals being shown by kids and adults alike.

The Farm Show was always something I looked forward to as a 4H participant because it was the biggest show we went to all year, we would usually spend about 4 days there (which meant days off school and I was able to hang out with my friends for long periods of time), there was lots of free stuff to get in the main concourse area (food samples, pencils, pens, bags, etc), and it was so much fun to explore and have fun with my friends (when we weren't working on our animals that is!)

One of the biggest draws of the Farm Show, aside from the animals is the food! The milkshakes made by the PA Dairyman's Association are so famous, you can't go very far into the expo center without seeing someone enjoying the delicious treat. Trust me when I tell you, they are the best! Can't find any milkshakes like them anywhere else in the state. The honey waffles and ice cream are also a Farm Show staple, which are served by the PA State Beekeepers Association.

The Farm Show is an annual event so even if you can't make it up this year, consider making a trip next year! There's nothing like it and I guarantee there's something for everyone to enjoy. From the Butter Sculpture (made from over 1,000 pounds of butter) to the delicious food (all made in the state of Pa) just make sure you wear comfortable shoes, there is lots of walking to be done.