Thousands of visitors are expected to attend the return of the Quad Cities Farm Show this month after the show took a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 31st Farm Show is set for Sunday-Tuesday, Jan. 16-18, at the QCCA Expo Center, 2621 Fourth Ave., Rock Island. The show’s hours are: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday.
The event will feature many displays of agriculture products and equipment, plant machinery, tractors and more. The Farm Show also is expected to feature companies displaying livestock equipment, outdoor power equipment, grain handling, and new technologies from computer software to GPS systems.
“A lot of people are really excited about this show returning,” said Robert Junker, show director at the QCCA. “Everything a farmer would want is under one roof.”
Mr. Junker added that he expects 175 to 200 equipment and service vendors to participate in the 2022 show. He added that number could be down by about 10% from 2020, the last time the show was held.
One of the first-time exhibitors will be P&K Midwest, the John Deere dealership out of DeWitt, Iowa.
Jon Lafrenz, an equipment salesman at P&K, said he has attended the show in past years and has liked what he has seen from the size of the crowds to the atmosphere. “We are a diversified dealership and I think the crowd at the show is diversified,” Mr. Lafrenz added.
The P&K representative said his company plans to bring several pieces of machinery to the show including compact utility machinery, small ag equipment and compact construction equipment.
While he expects a successful show this year, Mr. Junker said there are challenges. Topping that list is supply chain problems that are causing headaches in getting ag equipment and parts.
“It’s been a juggernaut to get equipment,” he added.
Want to show your products or services at the Farm Show? There still could be time to sign up. Mr. Junker said that in past years, the entry deadline would have passed months ago, but this year the show still is welcoming exhibitors as of early January.
“This is a new era. Give me a call,” he added.
For many years, the Farm Show was presented and managed by longtime businessman Richard Sherman. Mr. Sherman has retired from the business and has given “his blessings” to have the Expo Center present the show, Mr. Junker added.
For more information, visit qccaexpocenter.com or email Mr. Junker at rjunker@qccaexpocenter.
