The 110th Pennsylvania Farm Show opened its doors on January 10, 2026, drawing enthusiastic crowds to the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center as visitors from across the Commonwealth and beyond gathered to celebrate the state’s rich agricultural heritage.
PennLive and social media posts highlighted the surging attendance on opening day, with visitors describing the event as “phenomenal” and buzzing with energy as families, farmers, and food lovers explored exhibits, sampled local delicacies, and navigated the vast halls of displays.
A Celebration of Agriculture and History
This year’s show, themed “Growing a Nation,” serves as the official kickoff to America250PA, a yearlong commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States’ founding.
Organizers and state officials, including Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and America250PA leaders, officiated the opening ceremony with a ribbon cutting that blended agricultural pride with patriotic pageantry.
A special America250PA Semiquincentennial Bell, painted with a quilt-inspired design by Pennsylvania artist Cody Sabol, was unveiled and is being displayed throughout the event.
A second bell invites visitors to sign in celebration of the nation’s milestone anniversary.
What's Drawing the Crowds
The Farm Show remains the largest indoor agricultural exposition in the United States, featuring:
Nearly 5,000 animals from around the state
More than 12,000 competitive entries from over 4,600 competitors
250+ commercial exhibits showcasing agricultural products, technology, and innovations
Hundreds of educational demos and entertainment events
The much-anticipated 1,000-pound butter sculpture honoring America’s semiquincentennial, affectionately titled “A Toast to Our Nation’s 250th Anniversary: Inspired by Founders. Grown by Farmers.”
Families and food lovers have packed the famous Farm Show Food Court, indulging in everything from potato doughnuts to the PA Dairymen’s Association’s legendary milkshakes while exploring the expansive complex.
Tradition Meets Tomorrow
Beyond the classic livestock competitions and agricultural exhibits, this year’s show incorporates new themes celebrating Pennsylvania women in agriculture, innovative farming technologies, and sustainability efforts throughout the industry.
Demonstrations, interactive displays, and competitions such as sheep-to-shawl weaving, lumberjacking, and cow milking continue to captivate visitors.
The event also reflects agriculture’s massive economic footprint in the Commonwealth, where farming supports nearly 600,000 jobs and contributes tens of billions of dollars annually to the state’s economy.
An Event for All Ages
Educators and youth groups, including 4-H and FFA participants, have embraced the show as a hands-on learning experience, from school field trips to adult agricultural workshops.
Community members have praised the Farm Show for bridging generations and connecting urban and rural Pennsylvanians through shared appreciation of farming and food systems.
As the show runs through January 17, organizers expect the crowds to remain strong, with weekend attendance traditionally peaking and mid-week hours offering a slightly quieter but equally engaging experience.
