By TIM ALEXANDER Illinois Correspondent
PEORIA, Ill. — The numbers have it – boasting more than 350 companies offering over 1,000 product lines displayed in 900-plus exhibit booths sprawled over 150,000 square feet of exhibit space, the Greater Peoria Farm Show (GPFS), now in its 33rd year, just keeps growing. As the largest indoor farm show in Illinois, and the first major farm show following harvest, the GPFS attracts more than 20,000 area farmers to the Peoria Civic Center – which is also in its 33rd year of existence. The reasons for the show’s continual success and growth have remained constant over the decades, said Ron Bormaster, GPFS show manager for FarmShows USA, a division of Midwest Shows, Inc. “One big thing is that manufacturers always have new equipment to show, and another is that farmers are always interested in the newest technology. There is always something new in tillage, along with new innovations in machinery. Farmers like to see the latest in precision farming. That’s a big thing in farming, and they can see all the newest products in downtown Peoria,” Bormaster said of the GPFS, which will run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Dec. 2-4. Many of the companies displaying products at the show have remained exhibitors for the entirety of its 33-year history. In addition to the major farm machinery manufacturers, some of the “charter” vendors are local or regional companies that enjoy a specialized production niche. “Some of these smaller manufacturers’ products sell all over the U.S., such as Wingfield Manufacturing Company out of Urbana, which makes harrows,” Bormaster explained. “Many of these smaller manufacturers are or have been farmers who created their own (products). “There are your bigger companies such as AGCO, Deere and CASE displaying at the GPFS, but there are many smaller companies, like Precision Ag from Tremont, that also manufacture outstanding products for farmers.” Peoria Civic Center authorities recognize the long-term economic impact the show has made on the Peoria downtown business community, and to the civic center’s bottom line. “The (GPFS) is one of our biggest events of the year, and our goal is to roll out the red carpet for visiting farmers and exhibitors,” said Jim Wetherington, general manager of the Peoria Civic Center. For the first time in the show’s history, educational seminars will be offered. As with show admission, there is no fee for the seminars, which feature Tuesday and Wednesday 1:30 p.m. presentations by “technology guru” Chad Colby of AgTechTalk.com, and an 11 a.m. Tuesday crop and weather outlook from noted Iowa State University professor of agricultural meteorology Dr. Elwynn Taylor (see related article). Colby will speak about agricultural applications for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones. “Chad Colby is very well versed on how to use drones in farming, such as for checking fence lines or looking for cattle. He’ll be bringing some actual drones with him, as well,” said Bormaster. “There will also be a couple of vendors present at the show that offer this new technology.” The 33rd GPFS will include the return of the popular producer-appreciation lunch featuring sandwiches from Alwan’s Meats of Peoria, held in the Civic Center’s Arena Club Room from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. each day of the show. In addition, Peoria-Bloomington Chevrolet Dealers will offer complimentary coffee and doughnuts each morning near their exhibit area. Early attendees can also register to win $1,000 in daily “showbucks” to be redeemed with GPFS exhibitors during the show. RFD-TV, a media partner for the GPFS, will broadcast live updates throughout the show. “With all of the support from the community, exhibitors, farmers and sponsors, the 33rd annual (GPFS) is sure to be the best show yet,” said Bormaster. For more information about the show, visit www.GreaterPeoriaFarmShow.com |