Pennsylvania’s 53rd All-American Dairy Show is set for Sept. 15-21, at the State Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. The show draws close to 2,000 of the top dairy cattle shown by more than 1,100 exhibitors ranging from child-aged first-timers to full-seasoned men and women from across the country and Canada.

The All-American is jam-packed with 23 dairy shows in six days, including four days dedicated to youth shows, contests and programs. It’s a premier stop on the tanbark trail and a golden opportunity to explore herd genetics for those who might be cow-shopping.

Outside-the-ring attractions
The nation’s only all-dairy Antiques & Collectibles Show/Sale runs Sept. 15-20 in the show’s Dairy Activities Center. It has, according to show officials, developed into a valuable market for buying and selling high-quality dairy antiques and collectibles.

Commercial dairy industry exhibits will be in the same trade show area with show-related supplies, dairy business product displays and more.

Many of the show’s details weren’t yet released as this article went to press. But following are the key dairy judging and sale events. They are tentative, so double-check at the allamerican.state.pa.us website, email [email protected] or call the Dairy Office, 717-787-2905.

Just plug 2300 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, Pa., into your GPS and step on the gas. Admission and parking are free.

Dairy judging and sale events

Saturday, Sept. 16  
9 a.m.                     Pennsylvania State Junior Dairy Show
6 p.m.                     Legends of the Fall Youth Excellence Event

Sunday, Sept. 17  
9:30 a.m.               Youth Showmanship Contest
2:30 p.m.               Senior Division Fitting Competition

Monday, Sept. 18  
7:50 a.m.               Invitational Youth Dairy Cattle Judging Contest
8 a.m.                     Premier National Junior Shows
3 p.m.                     Premier National Junior Supreme Champion Pageant

Tuesday, Sept. 19  
9 a.m.                     Fall PA Holstein Championship/ PA Holstein Futurity
                               4-H & FFA Dairy Judging Forum
                               Junior Dairy Management Contest
1 p.m.                     Ayrshire Show: calves, heifers, dry cows
                               Milking Shorthorn Show: calves, heifers, dry cows
                              Jersey Show: calves, heifers, dry cows
5:30 p.m.               Eastern Elite Sale — all breeds

Wednesday, Sept. 20  
8 a.m.                     Jersey Show: cows
                                Red & White Show
                                National Guernsey Show
                                Milking Shorthorn Show: cows
1 p.m.                     Ayrshire Show: cows
                                Holstein Show: calves, heifers, dry cows
                                Brown Swiss Show: calves, heifers, dry cows

Thursday, Sept. 21  
9 a.m.                     Brown Swiss Show: cows
                               Holstein Show: cows
1 p.m.                     Supreme Champion Pageant