CONNOQUENESSING TWP — Continuing a tradition of family entertainment, the Butler Farm Show this summer will feature a variety of shows, tractor pulls and, of course, lots of animals.

"It's a very family oriented facility and we are very proud of that," said Jim Lokhaiser, chairman of the advertising committee for the farm show, which runs Sunday through Aug. 11.

This family geared environment, he said, produces a friendly atmosphere of families coming together to have fun and show their animals, especially those that children have raised.

"The big thing here is, of course, the animals," Lokhaiser said.

The animals displayed and sold at the farm show will include swine, goats, lambs, chickens, horses, cattle and rabbits.

"There will be so many different breeds and types of animals," he said,"including probably 600 different breeds of rabbits alone."

Perhaps the most popular event of the week involving children and their animals is the annual 4-H/FFA Livestock Sale at 7 p.m. Aug. 9 in the Livestock Building.

"It's like a Super Bowl for the 4-H kids," he said. "After a whole year of caring for them and feeding them, they bring them in to be judged."

These thousands of animals, however, are not only judged, but sold, giving the children an opportunity to make some money off of their yearlong work.

Last year, youths made $129,000 in livestock sales, a jump from 2005, when about $111,000 worth of livestock was sold, and 2004, when about $89,000 was sold.

"It's amazing," Lokhaiser said. "The money goes directly to the kids and a lot of them really look forward to it."

In addition to the farm animal judging that runs throughout the week, many arts and crafts displays also will be sold.

"The displays have everything from photography to quilts and everything in-between," he said.

Unlike the animal registrations, which are closed, the arts and crafts categories can have entries submitted from 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday.

Also available at the fair will be daily shows, which are each $3, in the arena. The shows, along with airplane and paddle boat rides, are the only entertainment not included in the $7 admission price.

Among the arena shows will be truck and tractor pulls, bicycle races and a demolition derby.

The free entertainment in the pavilion is also highly anticipated, Lokhaiser said.

"The Jentz is a very popular local group that brings in a lot of people," he said of the group's variety show at 9 p.m. Wednesday.

"There are so many shows and activities going on and overlapping that if you miss one, you can catch another later," he added.

In addition to the long list of entertainment, vendors and antique farm equipment displays will be available throughout the seven-day show.

Like years past, there was an improvement made in the farm show grounds.

This year $125,000 was invested to renovate the bathroom facilities, including the shower areas used by those who stay for the week to show their animals.

Last year, covered bleachers able to seat 4,000 were upgraded and added to the grandstand.

"One thing we try to do every year is upgrade the facilities," he said.