75 years of tradition at the Butler Farm Show
It’s something to be marveled at, really.
A plowing contest was held as an educational initiative in 1947 in Meridian with the intention of bringing “the city folk, businessmen and farmers together to better understand one another,” according to the history of the Butler Farm Show, which was first compiled by LeeRoy Miller, a former president of the farm show.
The event was a hit.
So much so that 75 years later, the Butler Farm Show stands as a proud — and still very popular — tradition here in Butler County with that same initial goal in mind.
That goal is to “bring the city, farm and business people together for a better understanding of our special needs, in an entertaining and productive way,” Miller said in his retelling of the event’s history, which has since been updated by Ken Metrick, farm show secretary.
In an article published Aug. 2, Metrick said Miller was surprised by the farm show’s growth.
He said he asked Miller, who was the last surviving founder of the Butler Farm Show, about the event in 2004.
“I never thought it would ever be like this,” was Miller’s response, Metrick recalled.
We thought his comments were noteworthy. He never anticipated it would grow to this level, but here we are in 2023, celebrating the 75th.
The annual Butler Farm Show kicked off Sunday with an opening ceremony at 7 p.m. Fireworks followed the ceremony, and a worship service was held before the ceremony.
Animal shows begin at 9 a.m. Monday morning with poultry (revised for the avian flu), rabbit and goat shows.
Later Monday night, baked goods will be on display, and for sale, at an auction.
And that’s just the beginning. The rest of the week features even more opportunities to see livestock, listen to music, watch tractor and truck pulls, and play rides and games.
At 75 years in, we’re happy to see the Butler Farm Show alive and well. We look forward to this year, but also to all the years ahead for this Butler County tradition.
— TL
