Planning well underway for 2016 Show, Jan. 9-16



Pennsylvania Department of AgricultureAlthough there are still 206 days until the 100th Pennsylvania Farm Show, planning efforts are well underway at the Department of Agriculture. Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today unveiled the theme and logo for the 2016 show.

The theme – The 100th Pennsylvania Farm Show: Our Commonwealth's Blue Ribbon Experience – is a nod to individual experiences visitors have enjoyed since the first exhibition took place in 1917. The logo – a blue ribbon – recognizes the range of exhibits and contests that take place throughout the week-long event and make the Farm Show Pennsylvania's state fair.

"With 2016's show being the 100th, we wanted to acknowledge that each and every person who attends this event takes away unique, personal experiences, be it things they learned, people they met, foods they savored, or prizes they won," said Secretary Redding, who was joined by three exhibitors to share their own special Pennsylvania Farm Show experiences.

"Since 1917, Pennsylvanians from all walks of life and from every corner of the state have come to Harrisburg to showcase their best livestock, their best projects, or their best products. For each of these exhibitors and the millions of people who passthrough the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in January, there is something special about the Pennsylvania Farm Show. Those special, individual experiences are at the heart of this year's theme and logo. We're looking forward to welcoming new and old visitors to the 100th show in January, and to creating memorable experiences for all of our guests."

The Pennsylvania Farm Show began as a three-day exhibition in 1917 to provide farmers an opportunity to discuss issues, opportunities and challenges. It is estimated that about 5,000 people attended the first show in a three-story building in downtown Harrisburg. Today, the show lasts eight days and attracts more than half-a-million visitors to the Farm Show Complex, which offers 24 acres of exhibition space under one roof.

"The history of the Pennsylvania Farm Show is, in large part, the story of Pennsylvania," said Redding. "The strength of the commonwealth and the strength of Pennsylvania agriculture lie in its diversity. This 100th show will highlight that diversity, as well as our history as an industry and where we're headed in the future."

The department has been diligently planning for the 100th show since February. Part of the planning includes the development of a new governance structure that will work with the existing Farm Show Commission to assist with preparation. The governance structure includes an overall steering committee with sub-committees focused on capturing the historical timelines of the Pennsylvania Farm Show, along with the marketing of the various competitions and special events scheduling. The commission and leaders of the steering committee and sub-committees met today at the Farm Show Complex, where Redding unveiled the theme and logo.

"We'll never have this opportunity again," said Sharon Altland, executive director of the Farm Show Complex. "The Farm Show experience is not something that happens overnight. It takes months of organization and with this being the 100th show, we want to ensure that it is a memorable event for each visitor entering those complex doors."

The Pennsylvania Farm Show is the nation's largest indoor agricultural event, featuring 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits, and 300 commercial exhibitors. According to a recent report issued by the Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau, the 2015 show had an estimated economic impact of $95 million to the south-central Pennsylvania region, supporting more than 18,000 jobs over the course of the week-long event this year.

The 100th show will take place Jan. 9-16, 2016 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. Admission is free and parking is $10. For more information about the 2016 show, visit www.farmshow.state.pa.us.
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6.17.2015