Less than a month until the Pennsylvania Farm Show. It starts January 5 and runs through the 12th. As a gift to Pennsylvania residents, admission is always FREE! But parking is ten bucks. This activity in my opinion, is a must-do for families if it’s within reasonable driving distance for you.

Here are some of my tips, having gone every year for at least the past five years or so. The year I was was 7+ months pregnant was the hardest year–those concrete floors are unforgiving. I love having something to look forward to after the holidays are over and we enjoy going. Here are the tips that Moms must know, but you can’t find on their website. Please also read the comments after the post, because as this essay evolves over the years, my readers have added some great tips too.

Let’s get down to it–the question every mom has-STROLLERS. What about strollers and the farm show?

If you have preschoolers that are borderline “do they or don’t they” need a stroller, take a stroller! It’s a LOT of walking. Plus there is so much good stuff to buy from Pennsylvania businesses, strollers make it easier to carry things. Every year I buy a 10lb thing of fresh honey–who wants to carry that around all day? If you do take a stroller, know that it’s a giant PITA to have one there. Whoever designed that complex did not have strollers or wheelchairs in mind. To get to the “other section” you have to wait in line, go up one elevator, across, wait in line, then down another elevator and over. You should see a huge herd of strollers and wheelchairs, all trying to figure out where to go. Yes, that’s it, you’re in the right spot. It’s really that confusing. Plan your meal accordingly–because the food court is in a different section from many of the other things.

One year, when I just had Kevin and Brian wasn’t born yet, I went out and around and back in again–sort of avoiding the whole elevator thing by walking around the building on the outside. But it was mild that year and I haven’t done it since. Just telling you so you know it’s an option. You could go to the website, get a map and plan that out.

1. If at all possible, go on a weekday instead of a weekend. On weekends, it is mobbed. But, know that the crowds die down late afternoon, and it’s open until 9 pm each night. So if your kids are older, plan to get there around 3 or 4 and stay through the evening, instead of going in the morning.

2. Buy a milkshake in the food court. It doesn’t matter how long the line is, buy one. You won’t regret it, these are the best damn milkshakes I’ve ever had. They’re $3.

3. Normally, “frugal me” would say pack a lunch and all that stuff to save money on your day. Not so here. Everything in the food court comes from Pennsylvania farms and it’s all pretty reasonably priced. If you want to save money on food, gorge yourself with all the free samples upstairs from all the Pennsylvania companies. However, the seating at the food court is limited to none. So if you have a stroller that you can stash on one–bring one of those disposable plastic blankets to sit on the floor. I’ve seen all the school field trips do this. I had to sit on that cold concrete floor when I was 8 months pregnant! Getting up was not fun. Update: in 2012 there was definitely more seating than in 2011. Still, on a weekend it’s near impossible to get a seat.

4. Know that when you walk behind a cow and they stand up, it’s instinct for them to pee & poo as soon as they stand. If your kids want to see the cows–go to the front end.

5. Oddly enough, there aren’t a whole lot of drinks available. Most of it is Pepsi products in machines, and if my memory is good, they are $3 each. This is one area to save money-bring your own bottles of whatever. It is VERY difficult to find drinks that are not soda.

6. When you arrive, chances are you will have to park at HACC and be shuttled over to the Farm Complex, on school buses. This is fine, just an FYI for those with strollers, big diaper bags and whatnot. I’m no stranger to holding up the entire bus line in sub-zero temperatures while we finagled a giant double stroller onto a school bus, just sayin.

7. If you go to all the animal sections to see animals, you will be stepping in stuff just like at a farm. This is the time to wear boots or rugged/sturdy outdoors shoes.  Definitely choose comfort and function over fashion when choosing what to wear.

8. There are lots of vendors, and there are all types of toys and gadgets and dare I say, junk to buy. Not making a judgment call, just letting you know. I know I sometimes feel blindsided when I go to a place with a bunch of toys for sale and I’m not expecting it and then I’m subject to endless “Mom, I want this!” and then I say no and it’s tantrum time. I just tell my boys they can buy one small thing, and that’s it.

9. There is wine! Yes, wine! Wineries are a farm of sorts and you can sample all the Pennsylvania winery wines. Just letting you know, because I never get to do this, as we always end up in that section at 10 am on a Tuesday or something… and even I can’t stomach wine at that time.

10. There are decent bathrooms and plenty of them. There are also some family rest rooms.

11. Kids activities-in the one building, sort of behind the food court area, there are always a few vendor spots dedicated to kids’ activities. UPenn Vet School and a few other places have activities for kids set up every year.

12. Dogs-Yes, dogs are allowed there and every year I see one or two people who have their dog there, and I feel sorry for it. Even though weekdays are less crowded, it’s still very crowded. And people are not looking down. I can only assume that these dogs are getting stepped on more than a few times! I would never bring a dog, they don’t even seem to be enjoying themselves.

And where else can you see……….tractor square dancing?

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