The paddle boat station at the Butler Farm Show has been a tradition for many years. It's an event that encourages family participation. Cindy and Dan Schaffer of Evans City bought the paddle boats in 2005 to keep the tradition afloat.

BUTLER — “It began with a plow and grew into a family tradition.”

That's the history of the Butler Farm Show, which is celebrating 71 years this week.

Family is key to the success of the event, according to board-of-directors secretary Ken Metrick.

“It's very much a family-oriented event,” Metrick said. “It's a traditional county fair with something for everyone.”

It was a family affair as vendors began setup Sunday morning. Cindy and Dan Schaffer's family of Evans City worked together to get their 12 paddle boats afloat.

“There are lots of families that come every year and do the paddle boats,” Cindy said. “I've put thousands of people through here in one day.”

The Schaffers purchased the paddle boats in 2005 when the original owner didn't want to run the station anymore. Dan was worried the paddle boat tradition would end if he didn't buy them himself. He didn't want to see that happen, according to Cindy.

“It's a tradition at the farm show,” Cindy said. “That's the main reason he bought it.”

The paddle boat station is located near the grandstand's lakeside entrance. Visitors can take a lap around the farm show lake in the little boats.

Elsewhere on the festival grounds, there are 6,000 arts, crafts and farm product entries. This year, there are 1,200 animal entries. Visitors will have the chance to see several new exhibits, including the Idaho Potato truck.

Visit www.butlerfarmshow.com for a full list of this week's events.