It's almost here.

The 93rd annual Pennsylvania Farm Show kicks off Saturday and runs daily through Saturday, Jan. 17.

Organizers expect more than 400,000 people to visit the Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg for what's billed as the largest indoor agricultural event in the country.

Visitors can see 6,000 animals and 10,000 additional competitive exhibits vie for $550,000 in prize money.

Farm Show classics like the butter sculpture, Sheep-to-Shawl competition and the high school rodeo will return, as will the food court and its sandwiches, milkshakes, baked potatoes and many other temptations.

New attractions this year include American Mustang demonstrations, a Farm Show talent contest and antique tractor pulls. Also, red and white dairy cattle will have a separate show during the dairy show.

More than 200 people from Lancaster County will compete in livestock, rodeo, family living and other events, or will be among the 270 commercial exhibitors expected at the show.

Forty-five county youths will show steers, market lambs, pigs and goats in junior livestock contests.

Two local youths will compete in the Pennsylvania High School Rodeo Championship on Saturday in the large arena. Competition times begin at noon and 5 p.m.

Alex Kuhl, 15, of Willow Street, will compete in bull riding.

Colleen Hershey, 17, of Mount Joy, will compete in pole bending and barrel racing.

The Farm Show talent contest will get under way at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, in the equine arena.

Contestants will be divided into various divisions and they include performers ages 8 and up. Acts will be three to five minutes long.

The winner will be invited to perform at the closing ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 17.

Antique tractor pulls will put-put in the equine arena from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, followed by garden tractor pulls until 9 p.m. To enter, call 413-5072 by Friday.

Children's Big Wheel races and pedal pulls are also set for Wednesday, Jan. 14. Sponsor Waterloo Boys Tractor Club, of Kinzer, provides the tractors.

The 2009 Farm Show will show how the agriculture industry infuses our economy with jobs and capital investments while contributing to a safe food supply, state Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said. The show will also detail how agriculture generates renewable energy, reducing the state's dependence on foreign oil.

More than 25 Pennsylvania energy companies will show how they utilize wind and solar energy, biodiesel, ethanol, and corn- and wood-burning stoves and furnaces. A mobile anaerobic digester demonstration will show how animal waste can be converted into alternative energy.

A few other highlights at the show:

• CULINARY CONNECTION: Celebrity chefs will entertain, and five winning regional chefs will vie for the PA Preferred Best Chef in Pennsylvania title. For a complete schedule, visit www.papreferred.com and click on "PA Preferred Culinary Connection."

• FARM SHOW DETECTIVES: Kids can become "Farm Show Detectives" and investigate Pennsylvania agriculture by visiting 19 learning stations located throughout the complex. Many are detailed at www.farmshow.state.pa.us under "Just 4 Kids."

• PENN STATE'S COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES in the main hall will offer presentations on "Water Resources Issues for Rural Landowners," "Environmentally Safe Lawns and Gardens," "Environmental Benefits of Green Roofs," "4H Seeing Eye Dogs" and "Coping with High Energy Prices in the Home." For a schedule, visit the Web at http://cas.psu.edu/spotlight/farmshow.

The annual dinner to kick off the Farm Show is set for Friday. Tickets are $40. Seating is limited. Visit www.farmshow.state.pa.us to make reservations.

Farm Show hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday through Friday, Jan. 16, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17.

Admission is free for all events except the dinner and the Thursday, Friday and Saturday PRCA Circuit Finals Rodeo located in the large arena.

The Farm Show complex is located along Cameron and Maclay streets in Harrisburg, just off Exit 67 of Interstate 81.

Parking is available on the off-site parking area to the east of the complex off Elmerton Avenue (Please watch for signs off Cameron Street). This lot is located on the corner of Elmerton Avenue and Sycamore. During the Farm Show, there will be parking at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC). All off-site parking will be $8 per vehicle and will include the shuttle bus service.

For more information, including a map of the expansive complex, visit www.farmshow.state.pa.us.

Staff writer Ryan Robinson can be reached at rrobinson@LNPnews.com or 481-6032.