Pa. Farm Show launches statewide celebration of nation’s 250th birth

The 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding is being celebrated this year at the 110th edition of the Pennsylvania Farm Show. 

The annual agricultural event runs through Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Farm Show complex, 2300 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg.

The opening ceremony this year had a colonial theme, with the pending nationwide celebration of the founding of the United States with the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776.

Lebanon County will have its own celebration at the Lebanon Valley Expo Center & Fairgrounds on July 4 this year, culminating with the annual fireworks show that is moving from Coleman Memorial Park to the fairgrounds one time only for this special occasion.

The 2026 Farm Show is the official kickoff for a year of America250PA commemorations, which emphasize Pennsylvania’s pivotal role as one of the original 13 colonies and its contributions to the nation’s founding, democratic traditions, and prosperity.

The opening ceremony this year began with the Revolutionary New Philadelphia Fife and Drum Interlude playing patriotic music during the presentation and retiring of the colors. Other historic touches include an appearance by an actress portraying Betsy Ross and remarks from Cassandra Coleman, executive director of America250PA.

“It feels exactly right to usher in the semiquincentennial year at the largest indoor agriculture exposition in the nation – alongside the people who feed our communities, care for the land, and keep Pennsylvania growing,” Coleman said. “The Farm Show reminds us that our commonwealth is strongest when we come together around the values and traditions that have shaped 250 years of American independence.”

Ross drew laughter from the audience when she noted that her likeness was included in this year’s butter sculpture, which pays tribute to the country’s 250th anniversary.

“I am best known by the name Betsy Ross. And before I became surrounded by legend, and also sculpted out of butter, I am so honored,” she said. “Before all that, I was indeed a diligent woman, working with my hands, raising a family, and doing my part for a new and uncertain country.”

Her contributions to the nation are legendary.

“And some remember me as the woman who stitched the first flag of these United States, 13 stars and 13 stripes. A simple design for a powerful idea and liberty is worth the labor. This year, we mark 250 years since the founding of our nation. And people across this country, people across the world, they will look to celebrate our history. And it is only fitting that so much of our reflection begins right here in Pennsylvania,” Ross told the audience.

State agriculture secretary Russell Redding also spoke before, along with special guests, unveiling a Semiquincentennial Bell, one of a series of Liberty Bell replicas throughout the state, including one in Lebanon County.  

Redding said Pennsylvania artist Cody Sabol of Pittsburgh painted the state’s Liberty Bell with a quilt theme, commemorating the many elements of our nation’s agricultural roots and future. The state’s Liberty Bell will be moved throughout the Farm Show Complex during the eight-day event for visitors to enjoy, so keep an eye out during your visit.

“Like Betsy Ross, this bell represents steady action and shared purpose. It reflects the values that built our nation, liberty, opportunity, and equality, and the courage it was growing,” Redding said. “So with gratitude from everyone who has made this possible, the pride, joy, caring, and the hope and the future we are planting together, it is my honor to be here with you at this moment as we cut the ribbon and unveil the America 250 Liberty Bell.”

State officials said a second bell can be signed by visitors to the America250PA exhibit in the Giant Expo Hall near the large Bell & Evans display, during the show. (Giant Expo Hall is also the location of the food court.)

At the America250 booth, guests can also visit the mobile promotion van that highlights Pennsylvania’s contributions to the nation’s freedom while also potentially winning America250 branded merchandise. There is also a “patriotic video game” on a massive LED screen that was being enjoyed by kids of all ages on Saturday.

“Patriotic” milkshakes

That booth isn’t the only way guests can commemorate the nation’s birth at the Farm Show. 

Dave Smith, executive director of the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association, said guests can purchase a flight of three milkshakes that represent the colors of the American flag.

“Normally, when you get a flight, they’re smaller samples, but we can’t in this environment do smaller cups,” Smith explained. “So it’s just a … red strawberry milkshake. It’s a vanilla milkshake for the white, and what we’re calling blue raspberry for the blue.”

Those who purchase a flight of milkshakes will receive Cheers to 250, also known as the 2026 PA Farm Show Passport, which has five squares to be completed at booths throughout the complex.

Every guest who completes their passport by Saturday, Jan. 17, can enter to win a weekend getaway to a Pennsylvania destination, courtesy of Visit PA, the state’s tourism agency.

Another impressive display celebrating the nation’s birthday is the annual apple display in the Main Hall on the south side of the complex. The display consists of apples formed in the shape of Pennsylvania and the words “1776” and “2026” spelled out with fruit. Visitors were gathered around it on Saturday, taking photos and selfies. “Wow, that’s impressive,” one guest was overheard saying to a companion.

Lebanon County’s agricultural heritage

There are other subtle ways to mark the nation’s upcoming birthday, especially Lebanon County’s proud ag heritage, at this year’s PA Farm Show.

On Saturday morning, within an hour of the show’s opening, a long line of visitors patiently waited to sample Seltzer’s Bologna products at a booth in the Main Exhibition Hall. Employees were also selling Seltzer’s products and branded merch, doing a brisk business right out of the gate.

Founded in 1902, Seltzer’s bologna still makes its products the way it did when first founded. The meats are smoked in wood smokehouses using a variety of woods that slowly cure the meat via a time-honored process first implemented by founder Harvey Seltzer, who launched his company in Palmyra over 120 years ago.

Additionally, the former Fredericksburg-based Farmer’s Pride, founded in 1894 and now a nationwide poultry producer known as Bell & Evans, has a display behind the food court in Giant Expo Hall.

“We will be exhibiting at the 2026 Farm Show, showcasing education about Bell & Evans poultry production, key differences and benefits to our customers,” marketing director Audrey King said in an email to LebTown. “We will not be live hatching chicks in order to eliminate any risk of the spread of avian influenza. In addition to our virtual tour videos, we’ll have a coloring station for kids and a photo-op for kids and kids at heart.”

Other show activities

The PA Farm Show will once again showcase many beloved agricultural traditions, many as old as the nation itself. The Sheep-to-Shawl competition, sheep herding, lumberjacking, cow milking, and hundreds of daily competitions and demonstrations highlight the show.

There’s also the 1,000-pound butter sculpture, the Farm Show Food Court, and Farm Market. Visitors can also enjoy live cooking demonstrations at the PA Preferred Culinary Connection and explore more than a million square feet of hands-on agricultural education, exhibits, and opportunities to meet the people who are “Growing a Nation” through Pennsylvania’s $132.5 billion agriculture industry.

Hours, a daily schedule of events, maps, and additional information to help visitors enjoy the show are available at farmshow.pa.gov under the 2026 Farm Show section.