The Pennsylvania Farm Show opened on Saturday, January 9, 2016, celebrating its 100th year with the theme “Our Commonwealth’s Blue Ribbon Experience.” The centennial show at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg promised to be one of the busiest in its history. For Lititz-area residents planning the trip, here were five things to know before going.
1. Admission is free, but parking is not
There is no charge to enter the Farm Show, but parking costs money. The best time to arrive is between 9 a.m. and noon. The busiest periods are weekends and weekdays between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m., when crowds peak and lots fill quickly.
A full list of events by day was available from the Farm Show in advance, and checking it before leaving helped visitors plan around the livestock competitions, demonstrations and shows they most wanted to see.
2. Know the lots and write down where you parked
Parking costs $15 at all lots operated by the Farm Show Complex. Two offsite lots were available for the entire show. One sits east of the complex at the intersection of Elmerton Avenue and Sycamore Street. The other is at Harrisburg Area Community College on Wildwood Park Drive, directly north of the complex.
Visitors were advised to write down the name of the parking lot and the general location of their vehicle. After hours spent among the exhibits, it is easy to forget where the car is, especially in a sea of similar vehicles. Maps of the complex and lots were available online.
Drivers were also warned to expect heavy vehicle and pedestrian congestion around the complex, particularly at peak times.
3. Follow the PennDOT signs
PennDOT posted traffic signs on all major roads leading to the complex, directing drivers to lots that still had space. The signs were updated throughout the day, so following them was usually the fastest way to find parking without circling.
4. Use the free shuttles
Free shuttle service connected the parking areas with the complex. Each shuttle was clearly marked with the name of the parking area it served, which made it easier to return to the right lot at the end of the day.
On weekdays between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., a free round-trip shuttle also ran between the complex and downtown Harrisburg. That made it possible for people working downtown to visit on a lunch break, or for visitors to pair the Farm Show with a meal in the city.
5. Accessible parking is available
Handicapped parking was available at all lots operated by the Farm Show Complex, helping visitors with disabilities enjoy the show with less difficulty.
A century of Pennsylvania agriculture
The Farm Show first opened in 1917, and over the following century it grew into the largest indoor agricultural exposition in the United States. Each January, it showcases the farmers, producers and families behind one of the state’s leading industries.
The show is famous for its butter sculpture, its livestock competitions and its food court, where visitors line up for milkshakes, potato doughnuts and fried mushrooms. It also offers educational exhibits for children and adults about where food comes from and how it is produced.
For Lancaster County, which has some of the most productive farmland in the nation, the Farm Show carries special meaning. Many local families compete in livestock and agricultural events, and many more make the drive to Harrisburg every year as a winter tradition.
Plan ahead and enjoy
With the 100th anniversary expected to draw large crowds, a little planning went a long way. Arriving early, knowing the parking options, following the signs and using the shuttles could make the difference between a frustrating day and a memorable one.
Once inside, visitors could relax and enjoy everything the centennial show had to offer, from prize-winning animals to the famous food stands.