Pennsylvania Farm Show facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pennsylvania Farm Show
Genre	Agricultural exposition
Dates	10–17 January 2026
Frequency	Annually
Venue	Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center
Location(s)	Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Years active	1917, 1919–1941, since 1946
Organized by	Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

Governor Tom Wolf attending the Pennsylvania Farm Show, January 2017

The Pennsylvania Farm Show is a huge yearly event that celebrates farming and agriculture in Pennsylvania. It takes place every January in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center. Imagine a giant indoor space, about the size of 24 football fields, filled with exciting exhibits! This makes it the biggest indoor farming event in the entire United States. Over half a million people visit the Farm Show each year, and it's free to enter. The very first show happened in 1917. In 2021, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the show was held completely online for the first time ever. The most recent show, in January 2026, welcomed visitors back in person.

Discover the Pennsylvania Farm Show

What Happens at the Farm Show?

The Farm Show is packed with things to see and do! It's a place where you can learn all about where your food comes from. You can also see amazing animals and the latest farming tools.

Fun Activities and Learning

Beyond just looking, you can often try out cool activities. These might include learning how to make lace, weave with wheat, or even try a bit of blacksmithing. There's also a classic merry-go-round ride that has been part of the show since 1946! You'll see old farming machines from the past, right next to brand-new technology that farmers use today.

Amazing Competitions

One of the most exciting parts of the Farm Show is the competitions. There are more than 10,000 different events across 35 categories! All the animals, crops, and crafts you see competing are from people who live in Pennsylvania.

• Animals: You can see competitions for draft horses, sheep, pigs, beef cattle, dairy cattle, dairy goats, poultry, alpacas, and rabbits. Young farmers also compete with their market animals.
• Crops and Food: Farmers compete with their best corn, small grains, hay, and potatoes. You can also find contests for fruit, nuts, vegetables, mushrooms, maple syrup products, and honey products. There are even competitions for cheese!
• Crafts and More: People also show off their skills in things like wool crafts, Christmas trees and wreaths, and even square dancing. There are special exhibits and demonstrations from agriculture education students too.

A Look Back: History of the Show

The Pennsylvania Farm Show has a long and interesting history. It first opened its doors in 1917. Back then, it was known as Pennsylvania's State Fair. Over the years, it grew bigger and more popular. The show has only been canceled a few times, mostly during big events like World War II. As mentioned, the 2021 show was a special online-only event. But usually, it's a lively in-person gathering that brings people together to celebrate Pennsylvania's rich farming traditions.

See also

• Agriculture in Pennsylvania
• Agricultural show
• Horse show
• Livestock show