When the 67th annual Manheim Community Farm Show kicks off on Monday, Oct. 4, it will have a unique theme: "Back to Normal." "We're back, and we're so excited to be having a farm show, since we couldn't do it last year," said Deb Seibert, director.

The Manheim Farm Show will run from Oct. 4 through Friday, Oct. 8. Although it will be held on the farm show grounds adjacent to Manheim Central High School as usual, all visitors must park at the Manheim Brethren in Christ Church, 54 N. Penryn Road, and take a shuttle to the show due to limited parking at the site.

The farm show is an opportunity to showcase agriculture and its importance in the community, Seibert noted, adding, "We are the only fair in Pennsylvania that's called a 'farm show.' This is an agricultural event. It's about farming and teaching where your food comes from."

The week will feature hundreds of students who bring their livestock to the show, including dairy beef, lambs, steers, pigs, goats and rabbits.

Seibert explained that the Manheim Farm Show offers three options for anyone who purchases an animal during the week. "They can take the animals home and put them out in their pasture," she said. "They can take them to a processing facility for their meat, or they can buy an animal and donate it to the food bank." The farm show has a working relationship with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, which will collect the animals. The exception, Seibert noted, are the steaks that come from the steers, which are given directly to the Manheim Central Food Pantry. "Some of the people who use the food bank have never had steaks donated to them before," she noted. "This is prime beef."

Throughout the week, the farm show will focus on family, faith, community, agriculture and fun, Seibert said. Exhibits will include baked goods, needlecraft, florals and vegetables. Seibert emphasized that all entrants will need to obtain a new number this year. "We are starting over at number one," she said, noting that some participants have used the same number year after year. The Manheim FFA Children's Farm Show will be held daily and will feature education areas, displays and animal exhibits, including a sow and litter.

The Children's Parade will be held on Oct. 4 at 6:15 p.m. and will feature a new category for children ages 8 to 10. A variety of make-and-take activities for children will be held in the agriculture promotion tent on Farm Show Lane as well. Seibert also noted that new this year, the vendor area by the pool and parking lot will be under a tent.

The Manheim Young Farmers will collect nonperishable items during the farm show parade on the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 6. Personal care items will be accepted as well, and all donations will benefit the Manheim Central Food Pantry. Items may also be dropped off throughout the week at the Children's Farm Show area.

Seibert underscored that the farm show would not be possible without the dedication of volunteers, who donate more than 10,000 hours of their time to make the show a success. There are multiple ways to volunteer with the farm show, including joining a committee, working at the french fry stand, helping with parking and more.

For more information on the Manheim Farm Show, visit http://www.ManheimFarmShow.org.