🐮🥛🎡 The Ultimate PA Farm Show Guide for Families
Picture this: A mom in her natural habitat, messy bun, milkshake in one hand, toddler dangling from the other, gliding through the Pennsylvania Farm Show with the precision that only years of trial and error (and gallons of caffeine) can provide. That’s me. A seasoned pro, wrangling my brood through the chaos, dodging crowds, and snagging a seat for the tractor square dancing just in time.
But let me tell you. It wasn’t always this smooth.
There was the year I lost my middle child in the food court during the lunchtime rush. Yes, I had boldly ventured into the belly of the beast, confident in my ability to balance cheese-on-a-stick, tantrums, and logistics. I turned my head for one second, probably to grab a rogue fry, and poof. Gone.
Oh, and the time I trusted the “cards accepted” signs and left the house cashless. Rookie mistake. My kids were begging to feed the butterflies, and I had no way to pay. I ended up making a desperate plea to the mom ahead of me in line: “I’ll PayPal you $20 if you spot me $10 in cash.” She laughed, handed over the cash, and probably used my story as a cautionary tale later.
Then there was the ill-fated “lunch must be at noon” experiment. As if the Farm Show schedule bows to our family’s whims. That day, the milkshake line was over an hour long, tempers flared, meltdowns erupted, and I almost declared defeat.
It’s been a journey of chaos, triumphs, and hilarious disasters. Along the way, I’ve learned a thing or twenty about making the Farm Show an experience worth remembering and surviving. My mistakes are now your cautionary tales, and my hard-earned wisdom is here to guide you through every petting zoo, milkshake line, and food court fiasco.
2025 Pennsylvania Farm Show FAQ: The Essentials
2026 Daily Schedule (Dropdown)
Friday, Jan 9, 2026 · Food Court only (12 p.m.–9 p.m.) · Free parking
Saturday, Jan 10, 2026 · 8 a.m.–9 p.m.
- ⭐ 10:00 a.m. Opening Ceremonies (Main Hall)
- ⭐ 9:30 a.m. Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest (PSECU Stage)
- 3:00 p.m. Equine Barn opens to the public until 8 p.m. (Equine Barn)
- ⭐ 5:30 p.m. Farm Show’s Got Talent (Lancaster Farming Stage)
- 6:00–7:30 p.m. Spirits/Beer/Cheese/Cider awards (PSECU Stage) · Great for snack-spotting
- 6:00 p.m. Truck & Tractor Pull Demonstration (Equine Arena)
Sunday, Jan 11, 2026 · 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
- ⭐ 12:00 p.m. Rabbit Diversity & Hopping Demo (Lancaster Farming Stage)
- 10:00 a.m. Cowboy Church (New Holland Arena)
- 2:00 p.m. From Switzerland to PA: Valais Blacknose Sheep (PSECU Stage)
- ⭐ 4:00 p.m. Jelly/Jam Bar Contest (PSECU Stage)
- 6:00 p.m. America 250 Apron Contest (PSECU Stage)
Monday, Jan 12, 2026 · 8 a.m.–9 p.m.
- ⭐ 11:30 a.m. Mullet Contest (PSECU Stage, Main Hall) · Yes, really
- 1:00 p.m. Barn Talks with Draft Horses (Equine Barn)
- ⭐ 3:00 p.m. Ag Magic (PSECU Stage, Main Hall)
- 6:45 p.m. Square Dance Parade (New Holland Area)
- 7:00 p.m. Square Dance Competition (New Holland Area)
Tuesday, Jan 13, 2026 · 8 a.m.–9 p.m.
- ⭐ 11:00 a.m. Mini Horse & Mini Mule Pulling (New Holland Arena)
- ⭐ 1:00 p.m. Pony Pulling Contest (New Holland Arena)
- 2:00 p.m. Horse Pulling Contest (New Holland Arena)
- ⭐ 4:00 p.m. PA’s Greatest Whoopie Pie Contest (PSECU Stage, Main Hall)
- 6:00 p.m. Special Presentation with Abe Lincoln (Small Arena)
- 7:00 p.m. Hitch & Drive Demo + Public Horse Driving Opportunity (New Holland Arena)
Wednesday, Jan 14, 2026 · 8 a.m.–9 p.m.
- ⭐ 9:30 a.m. “F is For Farm Show” Children’s Program (PSECU Stage)
- ⭐ 10:30 a.m. Children’s Pedal Pulls (Equine Arena)
- ⭐ 11:00 a.m. Canine Spectacular (New Holland Arena)
- ⭐ 12:00 p.m. Tractor Square Dance Demo (Equine Arena)
- 1:00 p.m. Parade of Tractor Power (Equine Arena)
- 7:30 p.m. Canine Meet the Breeds (New Holland Arena)
Thursday, Jan 15, 2026 · 8 a.m.–9 p.m.
- ⭐ 1:00 p.m. Exceptional Rodeo (New Holland Arena)
- ⭐ 11:30 a.m. Canine Meet the Breeds (Equine Arena)
- ⭐ 11:00 a.m. Mini Horse Extravaganza (New Holland Arena)
- 7:00 p.m. PRCA Circuit Finals Rodeo (ticketed) (New Holland Arena)
Friday, Jan 16, 2026 · 8 a.m.–9 p.m.
- ⭐ 9:30 a.m. “F is for Farm Show” Children’s Program (PSECU Stage)
- ⭐ 2:00 p.m. Storytime: Rachel DiAndrea (Lancaster Farming Stage)
- ⭐ 2:30 p.m. Celebrity Cow-Milking Contest (Small Arena)
- ⭐ 3:00 p.m. Line Dancing with the Junior Committee (Equine Arena)
- 7:00 p.m. PRCA Circuit Finals Rodeo (ticketed) (New Holland Arena)
Saturday, Jan 17, 2026 · 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
- ⭐ 8:00 a.m. Lumberjack Demo & Competition (Equine Arena)
- ⭐ 1:00 p.m. Cumberland County Drill Team Demo (Equine Arena)
- ⭐ 1:00 p.m. Apple Sale (Main Hall)
- 11:30 a.m. Draft Horse Hitch & Drive Demo (Equine Arena)
- 4:00 p.m. PRCA Circuit Finals Rodeo (ticketed) (New Holland Arena)
Where is the Farm Show?
Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center
2300 N Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110
Parking is at satellite lots, including the HACC Parking Lot with free shuttles. Shuttle rides are fun until you’re hauling a double stroller and a toddler who insists on carrying a balloon the size of a small planet. Parking is $15, so bring your card unless you want to barter your milkshake for a ride.
How much does it cost?
The best part: Admission is FREE! Your wallet won’t escape unscathed, though. Parking, food, and the inevitable souvenirs your kids “must” have will add up.
Pro tip: If you want to save money, do a lap on the free sample floor. You’ll walk away full and only slightly judged by the vendor whose pretzels you visited 3 times.
Now click each picture for the rest of what you need
These are the sections that save your sanity, your snack stash, and your will to live in the milkshake line.
