After the holidays are over, residents have another event to look forward to: The Pennsylvania Farm Show.
The 109th farm show in Harrisburg opens on Saturday, Jan. 4. The theme this year is Powering Pennsylvania.
Visitors can watch a rodeo, see an animal show, drink one of the famous milkshakes or snuggle with a mini-Highland cow.
The agricultural state fair is held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center, 2300 N. Cameron St. in Harrisburg.
Here’s what you need to know before heading to the farm show:
Hours for the Pennsylvania Farm Show
The farm show will be held from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily from January 4 through 11.
Here are the hours:
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Friday, Jan. 3: Noon to 9 p.m. (food court only, free parking)
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Saturday, Jan. 4: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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Sunday, Jan. 5: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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Monday, Jan. 6: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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Tuesday, Jan. 7: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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Wednesday, Jan. 8: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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Thursday, Jan. 9: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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Friday, Jan. 10: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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Saturday, Jan. 11: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission and parking for the farm show
Admission to the farm show is free.
Parking in the farm show operated lots is $15.
Two off-site parking lots are available with free shuttle bus service. They are:
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East of the farm show complex, at Elmerton Avenue and Sycamore Drive
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North of the farm show complex at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) on Wildwood Drive
What’s new at the Pennsylvania Farm Show
Here are some new events at the farm show to check out:
Dr. Temple Grandin to speak: The college professor and best-selling author will share her “unique perspective on problem-solving and understanding animals to anchor the day,” according to a news release. She will speak at 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 9 in the Small Arena. It will be followed by conversations, interactive demonstrations and networking opportunities to celebrate women who are leading agriculture today.
Pet a mini Highland cow: The Swartz Farm in Mohnton, Pa. will be bringing these adorable cows to the Farm Show for visitors to pet, the release states.
Turkey Showmanship: Youth will be showing off market turkeys that they raised. The brids also will be included in the livestock sale and the money will help children raise animals in the coming year, the release states.
PPL’s Live Line Electrical Safety demonstration: The power company will be showing families how to protect themselves from accidents around electrical lines and power generating equipment, the release states. It will be held in the Equine Arena on Thursday morning.
PA Preferred® Culinary Connection Stage: Celebrity chefs will be preparing recipes to inspire onlookers. It will be “led by Philadelphia’s Food Network star, author, and Guinness World Record-holder Chef Jet Tila,” the release states.
Food court offers milkshakes, mushrooms and other treats
The food court offers a variety of food to eat: cheesesteaks, stuffed baby bella mushrooms, maple cotton candy, and milkshakes, just to name a few.
Some new items that will be offered this year include:
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Pepper jack grilled cheese
Southcentral Pennsylvanians to sing the National Anthem
Several singers and a high school chorus will perform the National Anthem during the farm show, according to a new release. They won a competition, “Oh, Say Can You Sing?”
Here is when they will be performing:
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Hannah Weaver of York will perform at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3 at the PA Preferred Reception.
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Alona Buzey of Newmanstown in Lebanon County will perform during the opening ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4.
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Biglerville High School Select Chorus of Adams County will perform at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7.
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Crystalyn Gureckis of York will sing at 8 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 9.
Plan your trip to the Pennsylvania Farm Show
More information about the farm show, check out the full schedule of events: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/farmshow/pa-farm-show/schedule-of-events.html
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Pennsylvania Farm Show 2025: What to see at the agriculture fair
