Come for the animals, stay for the food, and enjoy what Farm Show president Glenn Stoltzfus calls "the best week of the year." Visit the Manheim Community Farm Show, and you'll be treated to a wide variety of agricultural exhibits, interactions with animals and lots of food options.

The 71st farm show will run from Monday, Oct. 6, through Friday, Oct. 10, at 502 Adele Ave., Manheim.

"The farm show is a great place to check out local food," said Stoltzfus. "We have about 25 food stands, and they are all run by civic groups and churches from the area."

He noted that the farm show also offers opportunities for education and fun.

"If someone knows nothing about farm animals, come and talk to one of the kids raising them," he recommended. "People will learn what it takes to raise and show an animal. People will learn more about where their food comes from."

Several things are new at this year's farm show, including a permanent building constructed for selling french fries to support the farm show's operating costs.

A 30-by-50-foot American flag, provided by Crane Specialists, will adorn the pool area, and a Deer Country combine will be highlighted on the ballfield.

"When people head down Adele Avenue, they'll definitely know they're at the farm show when they see that," Stoltzfus said.

Each day of the farm show will feature a theme. On Monday, which is "Community Day," live bluegrass music will be featured from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by the opening ceremonies. A children's parade will kick off at 6:15 p.m., and farm show royalty will be crowned at 6:30 p.m.

Highlights of Tuesday, Oct. 7, underscore the "Livestock" theme and include beef judging, pedal tractor pulls and an Alumni Showmanship Competition. That contest, which will take place at 8 p.m., invites Manheim Farm Show Youth Exhibitor 4-H and FFA alumni age 22 and over to enter dairy beef and goats to compete in five competitions within five classes.

On Wednesday, Oct. 8, the theme is "Volunteers." Activities that day include a senior class cornhole tournament for participants age 62 and older; an alpaca obstacle demonstration by the 4-H alpaca club; and the farm show parade, which will step off at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 9, is "Family Day" at the farm show and features entertainment from illusionist and juggler Boston Bachert throughout the day. Family Fun Night will run that evening starting at 6:15 p.m.

The farm show will wrap up on Friday with the theme "Farm Show Food - Thank A Farmer," featuring a variety of livestock sales. As in years past, some livestock sales will be donated to provide food for people in need in the community. Last year, the Manheim Farm Show Youth Livestock Sale generated 19,508 pounds of food from 113 animals by 57 donor buyers to benefit both the Manheim Central Food Pantry and the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.

Throughout the week, visitors will enjoy hands-on opportunities for agricultural education, including the Manheim FFA Children's Farm Show, which will run from noon to 9 p.m. on Monday and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. the rest of the week. A variety of make-and-take activities will be featured all week, and daily demonstrations of wood carving and blacksmithing will be held as well. Inside the exhibition center, numerous community projects will be showcased, including needlecraft, floral, baked goods and metal working. Twelve new classes will be featured at this year's farm show, including a Three Sisters Garden Contest, a Decorative Canned Good Competition and a Lego Birdhouse Build Competition.

For more information on the Manheim Community Farm Show, including a complete schedule of events, visit http://www.manheimfarmshow.org. Parking is limited on-site at the farm show, so visitors are encouraged to use a free shuttle service which will operate daily during the week from 9 a.m. to closing time. The shuttle will run from the Manheim Brethren in Christ Church, 54 N. Penryn Road. For daily schedules and updates, follow "Manheim Community Farm Show" on Facebook.