I was lucky enough to get to the 102nd Pennsylvania State Farm Show on Wednesday.
I hope that many of you will also get there -- as it runs through Saturday in Harrisburg.
There are plenty of animals on display, as well as myriad aspects of agriculture, family living and other facets of this important state industry and way of life.
And of course there is the food! Potato doughnuts, honey ice cream, magnificent milk shakes -- the list goes on and on. Just be sure to buy your food in the food court, where state-produced yummies are offered.
Here are a few photos from our day at the Farm Show. Try to go -- and if you can't get there, don't miss the great coverage on PCN TV. You'll miss out on the food and that first-hand experience, but they do a great job of covering so much of this great show.
And the butter sculpture!!
Yes, we all know by now that we should buckle up for six more weeks of winter.
Punxsutawney Phil was yanked from his abode on Gobbler's Knob and whispered into the Inner Circle's ears, saying he saw his shadow.
So he can retreat under ground while we shiver.
Since we really haven't had much real winter so far, maybe that's only fair.
But some of us were hoping that at least he would offer us some hope during what has been a lot of darks days since the November election.
But here we go. Good luck everyone. Maybe Phil will be wrong...
Here are a few shots from the PCN TV coverage that started at 6 a.m. Sorry that the quality may not be great... it was a little early and I wasn't there in person...
This guy looked dejected before the prediction was even made by Phil...
LOVE THESE GUYS!
AND THESE!!
Time for the prediction!!
And from our at-home collection of groundhog items, we wish you good health and good luck...
January may be known as the start of the new year -- and a time for making resolutions -- but for me it means PENNSYLVANIA FARM SHOW time!!
This year's Farm Show opens Saturday and runs until Jan. 14 at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.
This year's huge butter sculpture was revealed today, and here is a shot that was provided by the Farm Show. It's very different from sculptures I've seen in past years, so I'm withholding judgment on it for now. I'm used to seeing huge sculpted animals and people, so this is quite the change.
This was part of last year's butter sculpture at the 100th Pennsylvania Farm Show. Yes, just a part of the sculpture. It truly was amazing!
I love the Farm Show, and it was great to be part of last year's 100th celebration by entering some photos -- and winning best of show! My daughter also won several honorable mentions!
But the true fun is just seeing all the different exhibits and sampling the wonderful food from Pennsylvania producers.
I adore the tractor square-dancing event, and am so glad that PCN covers the Farm Show from start to finish each year. That way I can see this event and snap some photos on the TV.
PCN is a fabulous resource if you can't get to Harrisburg to see the show. And in February, PCN covers Groundhog Day live from Punxsutawney.
But I digress... I hope to get to the Farm Show again this year. I didn't enter anything because of a few different reasons, but maybe next year.
This year would just be a year to nosh a bit, walk a lot and soak it all in.
So here's hoping. And I hope you'll get to enjoy the show -- either in person or by tuning in to PCN! And if you get to the show and are tweeting, @PAAgriculture asks that you use the hashtag #PAFS17 -- will do!
