The 50th All-American Dairy Show is set for Sept. 7-12, a week earlier than past shows, and will celebrate the nation's dairy industry through competition and special events.
The theme is "A Celebration of Generations of Excellence." This golden jubilee will draw nearly 1,000 dairy men, women and youth from across the nation. They will exhibit 2,500 cows and heifers during 22 shows at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg.
"For 50 years, the All-American Dairy Show has showcased some of the best dairy cattle in the country, shown by world-renowned breeders, many of whom are from Pennsylvania," said Agriculture Secretary George Greig. "This year's show will pay tribute to long-time exhibitors and honor youth who participate in the show."
New this year is the selection of the Supreme Champion Bred and Owned animal of the open show, to be awarded during the Supreme Champion pageant on Thursday, Sept. 12.
The 10th annual Premier National Junior Events run in conjunction with the All-American Dairy Show from Sept. 7-9. A junior events benefit auction is Sunday, Sept. 8. Items available for bid include:
Two framed Bonnie Mohr prints
Seven painted cheese boxes representing each breed
One-of-a-kind light fixture made from a barn stanchion
Four Seasons Farm, Butler County, pheasant hunting trip
Handcrafted wooden furniture piece by Tioga County's Russell Jones
Personalized hand-painted piece by Debbie Cornman, Cumberland County
Also new is the National Dairy Shrine Banquet slated for Wednesday, Sept. 11, in the PA Preferred® Banquet Hall, and dairy oxen demonstrations on Sept. 7-8.
Open show judges have been confirmed:
Ayrshire Chris Hill, Thurmont, Md.
Brown Swiss Eric Topp, Wapakoneta, Ohio
Guernsey Chris Lahmers, Marysville, Ohio
Holstein Michael Heath, Westminster, Md.
Jersey Kelli Cull, Lomira, Wis.
Milking Shorthorn Jeremy McDonald, Middleton, Va.
Red and White Steve Shaw, Williamsburg, Blair County.
For more information or to donate items to the junior events auction, call the show office at 717-787-2905 or visit www.allamerican.state.pa.us.
02.11.2013