From left, Karen Triscas and Karen Shelatree of Robin's Home, Jim Brown and Riley Ferguson of the Middlesex Township Volunteer Fire Company, and Dave Barry and Josh Barto of the Herman Volunteer Fire Company, having received a grant from the Butler Farm Show's Community Outreach Committee. Butler Farm Show board member Michael Dean is holding the microphone. William Pitts/Butler Eagle 8/3/2025

CONNOQUENESSING TWP — Twelve months ago, the Butler Farm Show grounds was a solemn place, dominated by discussion of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, which occurred on the very same grounds and led to the death of a spectator.

This year, with the shooting more than a year in the rearview mirror, the Farm Show committee could look toward the future.

“We’re here to promote agriculture and have a family show, and that’s what we do no matter what else goes on in the country,” said Farm Show director Terry Cranmer.

During the traditional opening vigil held on Sunday night, Aug. 3, the Farm Show committee unveiled the first three recipients of grants from its Community Outreach Committee, which was announced in May as a way for the show to play a more active role in the Butler County community.

“Many of you remember, last summer, we needed a lot of support here,” said Farm Show board member Michael Dean. “So we established the Community Outreach Committee, which has spent many hours developing a grant that we can give that puts money back into our community to help others in need.”

The first three recipients of the grant are Robin’s Home, the Middlesex Township Volunteer Fire Company, and the Herman Volunteer Fire Company.

Robin’s Home will use its grant money to purchase hygiene kits and food supplies for veterans, the homeless, and children in need, while Herman will use its to purchase automated external defibrillators for their fire trucks, and Middlesex will spend its on safety gear.

Zelienople minister and Christian musician Dan Schall led the vigil, performing a medley of some of the religious songs he has performed as part of his traveling ministry.

While the Farm Show is promising more of the same agriculture and entertainment attractions that have made it a Butler County tradition over the decades, there are some new additions for 2025. This year, the farm show has opened a new “beef barn” to host cattle exhibits, and will also host drag racing at the arena.

“That’s something we’ve never had before,” Cranmer said.

The Butler Farm Show runs through Saturday.