6 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2019 • BUTLER FARM SHOW 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
property 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 organization
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
Vocational Agricultural Division
of the Future Farmers
Association.
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 improvements.
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 Meridian 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 recreational
area.
The Agricultural Building
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), providing
nearly 18,000 sq. ft. for yearround
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
beautification 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 commercial 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
funding became available.
Also, in 1995, a new
milking 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, providing
some additional annual
income.
One of the biggest projects
for the Farm Show was the
construction of a large permanent
office complex to house
offices for the United States
Department of Agriculture.
A long-term lease was
signed with the USDA,
providing another source of
year-round income.
The first step of computerization
began in the premium
office in 2002. As of 2014,
all aspects of the Farm Show,
including finances, were completely
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 quarters
and the first-aid office.
In 2013, the Board of Directors
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.
Continued on • 7
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