On Monday, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced the singers who will perform the "Star-Spangled Banner" daily and at special events during the 2023 Farm Show. Six-year-old Mia Bixler, of Schuylkill Haven in Schuylkill County, received the most social media votes in the 2023 PA Farm Show National Anthem contest, 'Oh, Say Can You Sing?'. She will kick off opening day, January 7, singing live from the GIANT Expo Hall in the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex.
"The 2023 Farm Show theme, Rooted in Progress, celebrates our agriculture industry's grounding in tradition that feeds our nation's and Pennsylvania's future," said Redding. "Nothing demonstrates our roots better than the Star-Spangled Banner, and our bright future better than one of our youngest Pennsylvanians. Young Mia and a talented cast of singers from across Pennsylvania will set a tone of unity and pride in commonwealth and country as we start each day of the 2023 PA Farm Show."
A panel of judges selected 20 finalists from among 39 entries. Finalists' videos were posted on Facebook for fan voting to determine the winners, who will sing each morning and at special events during the week.
Contest winners will sing in the GIANT Expo Hall at 8:00 AM each day of the 2023 Pennsylvania Farm Show, from January 7-14. Performances can be heard throughout the complex and will be featured live on PA Farm Show's Facebook page.
Winners, and the dates they will sing, are listed below.
Friday, Jan. 6
5:30 p.m. – PA Preferred® Reception – Crystal Bomgardner, Jonestown, Lebanon County
Saturday, Jan. 7
8:00 a.m. – Mia Bixler – Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill Co.
10:00 a.m. – Opening Ceremony – Natalie and Faith Musser – Mount Joy and Elizabethtown, Lancaster County
Sunday, Jan. 8
8:00 a.m. – Diane Harris – Bart Township, Lancaster County
Monday, Jan. 9
8:00 a.m. – Northern High School Bear Singers – Dillsburg, York County
Tuesday, Jan. 10
8:00 a.m. – Landon Mak – York, York County
9:30 a.m. – Jr. Livestock Sale – Apalonia (Apple) Passetti – Forty Fort, Luzerne County
Wednesday, Jan. 11
8:00 a.m. – Big Spring High School Chamber Choir – Newville, Cumberland County
Thursday, Jan. 12 – Military Veterans and Families Day
8:00 a.m. – Kara Grenell – Connellsville, Fayette County
1:00 p.m. – Army-Navy Cookoff – Caden Smith – Lancaster, Lancaster County
Friday, Jan. 13
8:00 a.m. – Eagle View Middle School Eagle Singers – Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County
Saturday, Jan. 14
8:00 a.m. – Kiersten Englebert – Biglerville, Adams County
The 2023 Pennsylvania Farm Show will feature a return of fan-favorites like the 1,000-pound butter sculpture, Farm Show Food Court and Farm Market, sheep shearing, weaving, lumberjacking, and hundreds of other competitive agricultural events, cooking demonstrations at the PA Preferred® Culinary Connection, and one million-plus square feet of hands-on agriculture education opportunities and chances to engage with the people who power Pennsylvania's $132.5 billion agriculture industry.