4 animals to see at the Pennsylvania Farm Show
Some people go to the Pennsylvania Farm Show for the food. And some go for the agricultural history.
But with close to 6,000 animals appearing at the 100th Pennsylvania Farm Show, the animal competitions are easily some of the most popular attractions.
From horse-pulling to rabbit-hopping to sheep-to-shawl competitions, the Farm Show has it all.
Here's a sneak peek at some of the York County animals to look for at the show.
Marie the dairy cow
Breed: Ayrshire
Age: 6
Rebekah Baumgardner, of Dillsburg, purchased Marie at a sale in Adams County about six years ago because she thought Marie was cute and speckled. But now, Baumgardner said she’d describe Marie as a spoiled diva. Marie has had four calves and is currently providing about 80 pounds of milk a day. She also eats about 90 to 100 pounds of food per day and drinks about a bath tub full of water. Marie has been shown in competitions since she was a calf. Her most recent win was supreme champion at the York County Roundup and she’s looking for her next win when she’s judged in the dairy competition at the 2016 Farm Show.
Snowstorm Rookie the alpaca
Breed: Huacaya
Age: 2
Snowstorm Rookie isn’t your average alpaca. Most have dark eyes and can be pretty mean. But according to 15-year-old Marissa Shoemaker, of Paradise Township, the white furred, blue-eyed alpaca has loved people ever since he was born. He probably likes people more than he likes other animals, Shoemaker said. Snowstorm Rookie was named reserve grand champion at the York Fair last year and will now compete in the costume contest, obstacles and showmanship competitions at the 2016 Farm Show. He loves to run, and his favorite obstacle is the jump.
José the lamb
Breed: crossbred
Age: 8 months
José is a 145-pound white lamb with a black face and muzzle. Kayce Myers, 20, of Washington Township, describes him as nice and calm, but also energetic. He loves to run outside and eat lamb feed and hay. José will be entered in his first competition – the market lamb show – at the 2016 Farm Show.
Gabe the goat
Breed: Boer
Age: 7 months
Gabe was born and raised on a farm in Codorus Township with his mother Angel and about 30 other goats. According to his owner Lacey Walker, 15, of Codorus Township, he’s probably one of the friendliest of the group. In honor of his mother, Gabe was named after the angel Gabriel from the Bible. The 2016 Farm Show will be his first show. The 85-pound goat will be entered in the market goat category, which judges goats based on how much meat they can produce.
If you go
What: 100th Pennsylvania Farm Show
When: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Jan. 15 and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 16
Where: Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center, 2300 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg
Admission: Free
Parking: $15 at all Farm Show-operated lots. Parking is available on-site, at the intersection of Elmerton Avenue and Sycamore Street and at Harrisburg Area Community College on Wildwood Park Drive.
Best time to arrive: Between 9 a.m. and noon
Busiest time: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
For more information: Visit www.farmshow.state.pa.us.