After being held virtually last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Penn State’s Ag Progress Days will return in August as an in-person event, the university announced on Friday.
Pennsylvania’s largest outdoor agricultural expo will be held Aug. 10-12 at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center on Route 45 in Rock Springs.
“Ag Progress Days is an important event to showcase the College of Agricultural Sciences’ land-grant research and extension programs and to provide a forum for those involved in agriculture and natural resources to learn, exchange ideas, and see products and practices that can help grow their operations,” Jesse Darlington, Ag Progress Days manager, said in a statement.
With free admission and parking, it’s also an event for families and consumers to learn about Pennsylvania agriculture and enjoy activities and food.
“With the risk of COVID falling significantly, we are pleased to have the opportunity once again to gather with our stakeholders and the public to recognize and celebrate Pennsylvania agriculture,” Darlington said.
Visitors and exhibitors will still be required to comply with and state, local or university mitigation measures that are in effect at the time of the event.
Ag Progress Days typically welcomes about 500 commercial and educational exhibitor, and Darlington said registrations are running ahead of the same time last year, before the event shifted to a virtual format. Many commercial exhibitors rolled over their registration fees from 2020.
The event, which annually draws up to 45,000 visitors, features workshops, presentations, horse exhibitions, youth activities, lawn and garden exhibits, food vendors, the Pasto Agricultural Museum and more.
Some demonstrations and presentations also will be live streamed and Penn State Extension plans to offer live and recorded online content.
Ag Progress Days hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 10; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 11; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 12.
