PEORIA, Ill. — The 26th Greater Peoria Farm Show returns to a newly-expanded Peoria Civic Center Nov. 27-29, featuring more floor space, exhibits and amenities.

Midwest Shows/Farm Shows USA’s Ron Howard said the multi-million dollar expansion to the Civic Center allows exhibitors at Illinois’ largest indoor farm equipment show to showcase more of the new products farmers will be seeking for their 2008 operations. “We are really happy about the Civic Center’s new 45,000 square-foot addition to the Exhibit Hall this year. That will really help our exhibitors display some more of their bigger equipment,” said Howard.

More than 300 companies will maintain more than 950 booths, utilizing the entire Civic Center complex, including the new Exhibit Hall.

“We’ve had exhibitors that have wanted to expand their (floor space) for years but haven’t been able to. The Peoria Civic Center expansion has allowed for both more exhibitors and an increase in display space for past exhibitors,” Howard said.

The Greater Peoria Farm Show has earned a reputation among Midwestern farmers as one of the region’s premier after-harvest showcases for everything new in production agriculture. “Feed, seed, fertilizer (representatives), the big combines and four-wheel-drive tractors from all the major lines will all be here. Anything the farmer could hope to find,” Howard said, summarizing the many exhibits farm show attendees can peruse.

The Civic Center’s expansion includes more meeting space, concessions, restrooms and, most notably, a new main entrance and spacious lobby.

Those who have attended the farm show in the past can still park in their accustomed spots and enter the facility through whatever door they wish.

The expansion of the Exhibit Hall has allowed more space for the livestock and forage areas as well as a new display, “A Salute to Illinois Agricultural Heritage.” More than 20 vintage pieces will be on exhibit. In addition, visitors to the show will have an opportunity to climb up on the newest tractors and combines from Caterpillar, CASE, AGCO, KUBOTA, Farm Pro, Buhler, Valtra and Challenger, among other popular lines.

Approximately 23,000 people attend the Greater Peoria Farm Show each year. This year, anyone who visits in the morning hours can enter a drawing for $1,000 in vendors’ coupons.

“Every day at noon we will hold an early-bird drawing and the winner gets to spend the $1,000 voucher with any of our exhibitors, just like cash,” said Howard.

He has been involved with the Greater Peoria Farm Show for many years and has witnessed transitions in consumers’ demands. The quality of the show and its timeliness have always helped ensure its success, he said.

“One thing people often ask me is what has made the Peoria Farm Show so

successful,” Howard reflected. “The answer is that now is the perfect time for exhibitors to showcase their products for the next planting season. The crop season is over for 2007 and the farmers are well into their planning for 2008.

“They know what they have to spend and they will be there looking for equipment and other products.”

He praised the new look of the Civic Center. “It looks really nice,” he said. “It’s a beautiful building.”

Howard invited all Midwestern farmers to stop by the show to see the new harvesting equipment and other items. “New innovations are being unveiled by nearly every exhibitor, making this a don’t-miss event,” Howard said.

“The most complete display of products used in Illinois production agriculture is our goal today, and will remain so in years to come.”