6 · THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2018 TRIB TOTAL MEDIA
It began with a plow and grew into a family tradition
Compiled by LEEROY MILLER
Updated by KEN METRICK
butlerfarmshow.com
In 1947, a plowing contest
was held on the Jack Roe prop-erty
in Meridian. This was the
birth of an idea to get the city
folks, businessmen and farmers
together to better understand
one another.
Some farm organizations
sponsored the educational
program. The idea was so well
received that it was decided to
form an organization to keep
the event alive. The organiza-tion
became the Butler Farm
Show, Inc., in 1948.
A constitution and by-laws
were written, with the aid of
the Butler County Extension
Service, by men interested in
supporting the county youth
through the 4-H clubs and Vo-cational
Agricultural Division
of the Future Farmers Associa-tion.
Several lawyers willingly
donated their services. The
by-laws were designed to
ensure that no one person or
group could ever gain complete
control or benefit financially
from the Farm Show.
All income is returned for
payment of debts or improve-ments.
Directors volunteer their
services in many capacities.
The board is a diverse
group, coming from agriculture
and agribusiness, as well as
non-agricultural areas, such as
industry, education, finance
and business. They work hard
all year to plan and implement
the Farm Show exhibits and
entertainment.
As acreage became available,
several tracts were purchased.
At present, more than 100 acres
are owned by the Butler Farm
Show.
About 12 years after the
founding of the Farm Show, the
grass airstrip on the grounds
was replaced with a 2,200 ft.
blacktop airstrip, which was
named in honor of W.L. Roe,
who contributed a great deal to
the Farm Show. The Merid-ian
Fire Co. food stand (now
known as the restaurant) was
built the same year.
The Farm Show has grown
steadily through the years. In
1956, the land was cleared for
a 31⁄2 acre lake, as part of the
long-range plans to make the
grounds a year-round recre-ational
area.
The Agricultural Build-ing
was constructed that year,
adding 12,000 sq. ft. of indoor
space for exhibits.
In 1958, three permanent
barns were added (now used
for dairy exhibits), provid-ing
nearly 18,000 sq. ft. for
year-round use. In 1977-78,
the horse and sheep barns were
completed, and in 1984 came
the beef barn.
In 1984, the American
Heritage Showcase began.
It has grown into one of the
largest displays of antique
tractors, farm equipment and
other items of yesteryear at any
Western Pennsylvania fair.
Other improvements over
the years have been the beauti-fication
of the main entrance,
the horse show arena, paved
roads, the water system, the
restrooms and an improved
arena track and pit area.
In 1989 and ’91 two 60x120
exhibit halls were built adjacent
to the lake for more commer-cial
displays.
An additional 5 acres of
wooded land at the southern
end of the airport runway
was purchased in 1993 with
the help of a grant from the
PennDOT, Bureau of Aviation.
Repairs and upgrades to
buildings and roads continued
each year. In 1994, the CB
Rangers building (located at
Gate 1) was purchased for use
as a permanent office and was
totally remodeled.
In 1995-97 the present
grandstands and pressbox were
constructed in phases as fund-ing
became available.
Also, in 1995, a new milk-ing
parlor and milkhouse were
built at the dairy complex. This
addition allowed visitors to
view cows being milked as well
as the bulk cooling tank where
milk is stored until it is shipped
to a dairy.
An all-weather auditorium
pavilion with a permanent
stage was built, and a smaller
shelter and stage for variety acts
was erected near the home-produced
products/arts and
crafts area.
The years to follow saw
many improvements to the
Farm Show. A permanent
rabbit barn was built in 1998.
Space was leased for cell
towers to be erected, provid-ing
some additional annual
income.
One of the biggest projects
for the Farm Show was the con-struction
of a large permanent
office complex to house offices
for the United States Depart-ment
of Agriculture. A long-
term lease was signed with
the USDA, providing another
source of year-round income.
The first step of computer-ization
began in the premium
office in 2002. As of 2014,
all aspects of the Farm Show,
including finances, were com-pletely
computerized.
To better aid the vendors
and exhibitors, Wi-Fi was
added on the grounds. New
air- conditioned ticket booths
were built for all four public
entrances and both grandstand
entrances.
In 2014, a permanent ticket
booth was constructed at the
main entrance. This structure
also housed the security quar-ters
and the first-aid office.
In 2013, the Board of Direc-tors
voted to form a Junior
Board. The purpose was to
instill in these young people
(ages 16-24) the values that the
Farm Show was founded upon
and pass along this heritage
and culture so they are well
equipped to maintain the Farm
Show for future generations.
They have the opportunity
to experience what is involved
in the operation of the Farm
Show and the workings of the
Board and committees as well
as learning our history, heritage
and values.
Grounds improvements
continue yearly. In 2015, the
main concession road was wid-ened
and electric poles were re-placed
and relocated to behind
the food stands rather than
along the roadway in front of
them. New water hydrants were
installed eliminating hoses be-ing
laid across walkways.
In 2017, trees were removed
from the perimeter of the
property at the Buttercup Road
entrance and adjacent to the
airport, and permanent fencing
was installed. Also in 2017, an
additional three acres with a
house and garage was pur-chased,
enabling much-needed
expansion to the grounds.
Through a generous gift
from the Sylvania Foundation,
a dairy show pavilion will be
constructed and in use for the
2018 farm show.
The Butler Farm Show
has been, and always will be,
a “family show” as long as
there are dedicated directors,
members and volunteers, and
faithful exhibitors and patrons.
Today, as in 1947, our goals
remain the same. As the torch
is passed to each generation,
the values of our founders are
instilled in them.
All involved persons strive
to educate each other as well
as visitors in a productive and
entertaining manner, so that
farm, city and business people
may gain a better understand-ing
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