The 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show will unveil its annual butter sculpture on Thursday, January 8, at 1:00 p.m. in the main hall of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center. The massive artwork, crafted from 1,000 pounds of butter donated by the Land O'Lakes plant in Carlisle, represents one of the most anticipated traditions of the nation's largest indoor agricultural exposition. WGAL television will broadcast a livestream of the reveal ceremony, allowing viewers across the state to witness the moment when the sculpture's design is shown to the public for the first time. The event marks the beginning of the Farm Show's run, which highlights Pennsylvania's diverse agricultural industry and its significant economic contributions.
Professional butter sculptors Jim Victor and Marie Pelton of Conshohocken have spent weeks transforming the dairy product into an intricate work of art in a refrigerated workspace. The husband-and-wife team are renowned for their ability to create detailed sculptures from perishable materials, and their work for the Farm Show has become a signature attraction. The butter used in the sculpture is specifically produced for this purpose and would not be suitable for commercial consumption even before being handled for artistic creation. The design remains a closely guarded secret until the official unveiling, though it typically celebrates Pennsylvania's agricultural heritage and the farmers who drive the industry.
The unveiling ceremony will feature several distinguished guests, including Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding and Carolyn Matthews Eaglehouse of Milky Way Farm in Chester Springs. Their participation underscores the sculpture's role in promoting the state's dairy industry and agricultural community. After the reveal, the sculpture will remain on display throughout the Farm Show's duration, allowing thousands of visitors to view the artwork up close. The sculptors will be available to discuss their creative process and the challenges of working with butter as a medium.
The Pennsylvania Farm Show itself is a massive undertaking that transforms the expo center into a celebration of rural life and agricultural innovation. The event features more than 5,000 animals, 12,000 competitive entries from over 4,600 participants, 250 commercial exhibits, and hundreds of educational and entertaining events spread across multiple days. Visitors can observe livestock competitions, sample locally produced foods, and learn about modern farming techniques. The show serves as an important networking opportunity for farmers, producers, and agricultural businesses while educating the general public about where their food comes from.
The economic impact of Pennsylvania's agricultural sector is substantial, supporting nearly 600,000 jobs and contributing $132.5 billion to the state's economy annually. The Farm Show provides a platform to showcase this industry and introduce consumers to the people behind the products. In keeping with the agricultural community's commitment to sustainability, the butter sculpture will be recycled into biofuel after the event concludes. This eco-friendly practice ensures that the material is repurposed rather than wasted, aligning with modern agricultural values of resourcefulness and environmental responsibility.
Those unable to attend in person can watch the livestream on WGAL's website or social media platforms, making this traditional event accessible to a broader audience. The 2026 Farm Show promises to highlight the innovators shaping agriculture's future while honoring the traditions that have sustained Pennsylvania farming for generations. From the butter sculpture to the animal exhibitions, the event offers something for everyone, whether they have direct ties to farming or simply appreciate the state's rich agricultural legacy.
