Butler Farm Show kicks off
CONNOQUENESSING TWP — Overcast skies and some sprinkles didn't dampen the opening day spirit of the 69th annual Butler Farm Show on Monday.
Vendors were in the process of setting up their tents, and 4-H student exhibits were just getting started, said Kevin Loomis, president of the Farm Show's board of directors.
“This is your typical Monday,” he said. “People are coming in, exhibitors are showing up, and we have some shows going on already.”
Loomis said nearly 1,100 entries were made for 4-H shows throughout the week — including dairy cattle, beef cattle, steers, lambs, pigs, chickens and goats.
Students in 4-H will show their animals in several categories — including a showmanship award — which Loomis said combines not only the animal's appearance, but also how the students handle the animals.
“The judge will have a list of questions to ask each student, so they have to be very familiar and knowledgeable about their animal,” Loomis said.
More than 300 commercial exhibitors were also set to showcase their wares in both outside and indoor venues — everything from Tupperware to outdoor metal buildings, water companies, tractors, sheds, equipment, automobiles, spas and pools, Loomis said.
“We are full,” he said. “We have a waiting list as far as space, which is great. Everyone is always wanting to get in here and we are very blessed that we have enough to fill the place.”
While Monday was opening day for the public, the show kicked off on Saturday with the annual Little Miss 4-H Butler Farm Show and Little Miss Butler Farm Show contest.
Judy Kennedy, coordinator for the contest, said seven girls, between the ages of 8 and 10, were judged by several former Farm Show, Butler Fair and other fair queens in several categories, including stage presence, an interview by the pageant director and discussion of a poster that was created as part of the contest on the topic “What I Like Most About the Butler Farm Show.”
Kennedy said the contest gives “young ladies the opportunity to learn more about agriculture and volunteerism.”
Little Miss 4-H winner Addyson Blatt of Butler, daughter of Dallas and Jess Blatt, said she was excited to be given the title in her second year of involvement with 4-H.
“I thought it would be fun to be able to be in it, and a good opportunity for me,” she said.
Sydnee Branst of West Sunbury, daughter of Josh and Kati Loos, who was crowned Little Miss Butler Farm Show, said she wanted to be involved because of her artistic abilities.
“I like to come to the Farm Show and I like to do arts and crafts and stuff,” she said. “I was looking in the book and I saw a competition of (poster) drawing, because I love to draw.”
Branst said she did not think that she would become Little Miss.
“There was this other girl and she was amazing and I kept telling her that she did so great,” she said.But once crowned, she said “it feels nice, because now I can help out other people with handing out awards and everything.”The attitudes of these two young women are a testament to what the Farm Show means, Loomis said.“This is a family tradition,” he said. “Handing down the torches to our kids, who are now involved in the board, and their kids.”This is important, as the show is entirely run by volunteers, he said.“That is a huge part of it, a lot of time and effort, and we are all volunteers,” he said. “We do this because we love it.”Loomis said some new additions — and returning favorites — were in store for visitors throughout the week, including the second year of the oxen demonstration, the second year of the monster truck rollover contest event that was held on Monday, the first celebrity rabbit hopping contest, and the power wheel demolition derby.That event pits children against each other in their battery-operated vehicles, much like the real demolition derby.“That was a really big hit last year,” Loomis said.Another aspect of pride for the board is the Heritage Show in the antiques department, Loomis said.“We have one of the biggest antique shows in Western Pennsylvania so we are very proud of our antique department with all the tractors and antique equipment,” he said.Loomis said the show is set to top last year's 180 antique pieces of equipment.One important aspect of the show is education, both for the visitors and those involved.“There are a lot of different things for people to be educated on, agriculture and what farming means to the community,” he said.But there is also opportunity for fun.“We have rides, carnival food stands, arena events, the demo derby,” he said. “It's not just a farm show. Agriculture is our No. 1 thing, but we have something for everybody.”Loomis said the weather report is looking favorable for the week, and he expects between 48,000 and 50,000 people to attend throughout the six-day event.
