Butler Farm Show to feature week of family fun, celebrates agriculture
The Butler Farm Show will return the week of Aug. 4 and continue through Aug. 9, providing the community with a chance to learn about agriculture, interact with livestock and gather for family fun.
The 77th annual event held at the Butler Farm Show grounds, 625 Evans City Road, brings back a collection of livestock shows, 4-H project exhibitions and arts and craft with agriculture at the heart of it all.
The schedule also features a slew of live music and grandstand events tend to pack the Connoquenessing Township venue. This year’s grandstand lineup includes fan-favorites, such as the demolition derby on Friday night, and introduces new entertainment to the mix, such as KOI Drag Racing on Monday evening.
A preshow with the Little Miss Butler Farm Show contest is set for 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, followed by an opening ceremony on Sunday, Aug. 3 with a church service at 7 p.m. featuring Dan Schall Ministries, will raise the curtains to the main event.
Starting Monday, Aug. 4, the Butler Farm Show will officially kick off.
Ken Laughlin, president of the Butler Farm Show board, said the farm show that began when some farmers and businesspeople came together for a plowing contest, has now evolved into an important teaching tool for the Butler County public.
“Agriculture industry is the biggest employer in not just Butler County, but the state of Pennsylvania,” Laughlin said. “One of our main goals is to educate the public on agriculture.”
Now, the long-running show that takes place on the 112-acre land brings together around 50,000 people annually, Laughlin said.
In addition to the daily spectacles like the magic and balloon shows by Mike Klee, the World of Animals and the American Heritage Showcase Antique show, which delves into older agricultural practices, there are special events planned out across the week at the grandstand.
A dirt drag racing event, KOI drag racing, is set for 7 p.m. Monday, with participants competing on the dirt vehicles of their choice.
This event will be followed by a truck and tractor pull on Tuesday, 4-wheel drive pulling content on Wednesday, a figure-8 race on Thursday, a demolition derby on Friday and a road semi and tri-axle truck pull on Saturday.
Also present will be the 4-H projects displaying work of the county youth, from projects like yarn produced from livestock to implementation of robotics into agriculture.
“All the kids get a chance to make some money with their businesses they have created through the year,” Laughlin said.
At the core of the locally renowned show is spending time with the family and community, Laughlin said. Butler County residents make a point to visit the farm show just to see their friends and neighbors, according to Laughlin.
“A pretty general experience of the farm show is the family tradition,” Laughin said.
Laughlin said the farm show board’s mission of bringing together and educating the community reflects in the cost of attending.
“I just want to keep our prices the way they are so we can make enough money to keep our doors open, but make it affordable for the families to come out with their kids and be able to ride the rides and get something to eat,” Laughlin said.
There is a $10 admission fee per person. Gates open at 8:30 a.m. and remain open until 11 p.m. Rides open daily at 4 p.m.
More information about the Butler Farm Show can be found at www.butlerfarmshow.com.
