By Alexandra McLaughlin
In Rock Springs, Christmas comes in August. At least, that’s how Bob Oberheim remembers it.
For more than two decades as show manager of Ag Progress Days, Pennsylvania’s largest outdoor agricultural exposition, Oberheim spent all year building toward three days. Months of meetings, exhibitor coordination, equipment deliveries and thousands of small decisions.
“It was like Christmas,” Oberheim, who is now retired, said. “Months ahead, you’re planning. You’re getting everything ready. You’re thinking about every detail.”
As August approached, the grounds transformed. Tractors rolled in. Tents rose. By Monday night, anticipation filled the air.
“There’s always something you wish you’d remembered,” he said. “But when the gates open on Tuesday, that’s Christmas morning. The public would come in. The energy they brought — that was like opening presents.”
Exhibitors greet visitors. Researchers share discoveries. Conversations fill the walkways. And attendees learn and imagine new and exciting ways agriculture is feeding a hungry world.
By Thursday afternoon, teardown begins.
“That’s when you start picking up the wrapping paper,” Oberheim said.
For more than 50 years, Penn State’s Ag Progress Days at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center has followed that rhythm: months of preparation, three days of energy, and then the dismantling of a temporary city built to serve Pennsylvania agriculture.
Source : psu.edu