PA State Farm Show...

Jim and I are glad for the opportunity we had to go to the PA State Farm Show in Harrisburg  between milkings on Monday!  The kids were both still home on break, and chose not to go with us. They helped with the morning work and agreed to feed the cows at lunchtime, so we could get on our way in good time.

You never know what kind of traffic you might encounter in that area, but we  had no delays until we got to the parking lot.  We parked about a mile away, and took a shuttle bus that dropped us off at the door to the complex.

I always enjoy the butter sculpture.  Each year it has a different theme,  and is unveiled at the opening of the farm show.  It is carved from 1000 lb of butter, and features individuals wearing super hero capes...a doctor, an athlete, a soldier, a firefighter and a dairy farmer...

We wandered through various exhibits.  This one featured old tractors that were restored by various FFA groups...

We saw many, many animals , but I only got pictures of a few.

These piglets were about two weeks old, and growing fast!

I'm not sure what breed of cows these are, but I thought they were especially pretty...

This steer was getting his pre-show bath...

There were lots of displays...veggies, flowers, fruits, baked items, and more, too numerous to count...

We were there for several hours, and could have seen so much more if we'd have had the time.  Throughout the week there are lots of animal judging contests and special events. Tomorrow,  I'm  taking my mom up to see the Sheep to Shawl contest.   She has always wanted to see it, and I never have, so it will be a new experience for us both!

PA Farm Show...

It's January...and that means it's time for the Pennsylvania Farm Show...

Jim and I had a not so busy day planned today, so we decided to head up to Harrisburg for the Farm Show.  It's been a few years since we've been there...

We only had a few hours, so we walked fast...or as fast as we could with the crowds.  This was one of the first things we saw...

There were definitely some educational things there.   This "cow" allows kids to see where milk actually comes from...minus the swinging tail, flying hooves and the sweet smell of manure.  :)

Of course there were lots of real animals as well.  When we walked through the sheep area, it was clear that a competition would be happening later today.  This sheep was being clipped...numerous others were being washed, and others were in their pens wearing protective "clothing" to keep them clean...

We saw some herb and veggie displays...

And this was my favorite...the Butter Sculpture...

It was in a refrigerated, glass case.  Every year it's something different.

And before we headed for home, of course we had to go to the food court for lunch.  Lots of other people had the same idea.  What would you choose...french fries, pulled pork, fish, baked potatoes, baked sweet potatoes, pizza, waffles and ice cream, milk shakes, mozzarella cubes, deep fried mushrooms, potato donuts, etc...

My baked sweet potato tasted great despite the crowd..and so did the potato donuts I bought to bring along home!  There might even be some left for breakfast tomorrow.

I could have taken so many more pictures...of cows, huge farm equipment,  4-H exhibits, baked goods, horses, the arenas where the judging and contests take place...but there just wasn't time to see it all.  

If you've never been to a farm show, it's a fun way to spend the day...or even an afternoon.  Just be ready to maneuver in a crowd, and take your appetite!

On another note...I was honored to receive another award..this time from Eileen at Little House Quilting.  I met Eileen a few years ago...she's a good friend of my aunt, and I met her when they both came from Colorado to visit my parents.  You should see some of the quilts and things that she makes...she's amazing!  And generous...she gifted my mother with some beautiful fabric, which Mom then turned into a huge, beautiful quilt!  Thanks Eileen!