I’ll be brandishing my kitchen skills this Saturday once again at the PA Farm Show during The PA Preferred Battle of the “Burg” Cook Off – where myself and other media personalities will be teamed up with local chefs.
The teams, led by restaurant chefs Robert Dacko from Home 231 and Travis Mumma from Café Fresco will be tasked with creating an entrée that highlights PA Preferred products. Media personalities participating in the cook off are: Valerie Pritchett, abc27 News; Matt Belanger, WGAL News 8, (yours truly) and Newman from Bob Radio. Nancy from Bob Radio and Tim Harris, ACF Chef, will emcee.
The event will begin at 1pm on opening day, January 7, 2012 on the Culinary Connection stage in the Main Exhibition Hall at the Farm Show Complex, 2300 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110. Come out and cheer us on! Bring the family for day of Farm Show fun!
Other opening day attractions include: State Police Mounted Drill Team at 10:30am; Cooking demonstrations at 2 and 3pm; Farm Show’s Got Talent at 4:30pm and a honey extraction demo at 5pm.
Main attractions and crowd pleasers each year include the life size butter sculpture as well as the livestock and famed Food Court.
The PA Farm Show runs Jan 7-13 open 8am-9pm.
The 96th Pennsylvania Farm Show, the largest indoor agricultural exhibition in the nation, will feature 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits and 300 commercial exhibitors.
Many new attractions will be added to the 2012 Farm Show, including:
New Family Living exhibitions - As part of the complex renovations, the Family Living area in the Main Hall has been renovated to better showcase homemade food items and handmade wares.
Today’s Agriculture display - Today’s Agriculture, an exhibit in a full-size barn, is a collaboration between agricultural industry groups to showcase modern production practices used to efficiently and safely produce our food supply.
Historical Marker Scavenger Hunt - Search for 22 replica historical markers throughout the complex and learn how Pennsylvania is the “Land of Penn and Plenty” as Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission markers bring history to the table.
Food Court specialties- In addition to long-time favorites, the food court will feature three new items - a PA Preferred(TM) pizza with Pennsylvania ingredients, grilled cheese sandwiches and tender barbecue brisket sandwiches.
Butterfly House - Visitors can see and learn about butterflies for a small fee, which supports the Friends of Farm Show Foundation.
Returning show highlights include:
“Parade of Agriculture” - During the opening ceremonies on Saturday, Jan. 7, representatives from each Farm Show department along with state commodity representatives will parade through the Large Arena.
PA Preferred Culinary Connection - In addition to cooking demonstrations, the stage will feature Bravo! TV’s “Top Chef All-Stars” contestant Mike Isabella.
Farm Show Detectives - Young visitors can investigate Pennsylvania agriculture by visiting 22 learning stations around the complex that offer hands-on lessons and activities.
Celebrity Cow-Milking Contest - Always a crowd-pleaser, the contest, on Friday, Jan. 13, will feature Secretary Greig competing with Harrisburg-area TV personalities and state legislators.
Farm Show Favorites - The Sheep-to-Shawl contest, high school rodeo and tractor square dancing are featured attractions, along with the many baking contests like the Hershey’s chocolate cake contest.
Admission is free and parking is $10.
For a complete schedule of Farm Show events or to make a reservation for the PA Preferred(TM) Reception, visit www.farmshow.state.pa.us and select the tab for “2012 Show.”
