HUNTER SMITH/The Express Penn State Extension Master Gardeners help children make bug-themed arts and crafts at the Clinton County Fair’s annual Youth Day.

MACKEYVILLE — The Clinton County Fairgrounds were filled with the sounds of laughter and bleating farm animals Wednesday as youngsters enjoyed a day dedicated entirely to them.

Dozens of local organizations pitched in to make the day special, offering crafts, games and hands-on activities for the scores of young fairgoers in attendance.

Among them was the Ross Library who entertained the children with a story time led by LaKeshia Knarr, reading stories tied to the fair’s agricultural roots including Nicola Smee’s “Clip-Clop.”

Nearby, the Reach Out Mentoring Program also joined in the fun, with Program Coordinator Martie Buck helping children create seed maps of Pennsylvania.

Rising Central Mountain High School senior Olivia Yerger, 16, of Loganton, spent youth day at the Clinton County Fair working on her senior project.

“I just love kids,” Yerger said. “I work with them all the time because I have a lot of siblings and family.”

With help from her boyfriend, Brody, Yerger set up a craft and game station to engage children in the fair’s agricultural programming. Kids could enjoy sticker crafts, play pin the tail on the donkey — and the cow — make scratch-off animal art and take home animal-themed headbands, glasses and bubbles.

“I like helping kids feel accomplished,” Yerger said, explaining why a booth at the fair was the perfect fit for her project.

She also brought along her Polaroid camera, snapping pictures of children at the booth. While most of the photos were given to parents, Yerger saved a few for her upcoming senior project presentation.

Yerger hopes to become a photographer one day and said the event gave her the chance to practice her skills.

Also in the Commercial Building, the 2025 Clinton County Fair Queen, Miss Sarah Lavallee, helped children design paper crowns, while Penn State Extension Master Gardeners led bug-themed paper crafts.

Other Youth Day contributors included a local scout troop, Baby Grumper Vending, Balloons by Mrs. T and a variety of craft and food vendors.

Outside at the Show Arena, The Express caught up with Maggie Park, a fair regular, as she prepared her goat, Wrangler, for the 3 p.m. Clinton County 4-H and FFA Goat Show. She was among a dozen youth grooming their goats in hopes of earning a prized blue ribbon.

This year’s Clinton County Fair Youth Day was made possible through the sponsorship of Horizon Federal Credit Union. Kiddies Day was also supported in part by Dotterer Equipment in Mill Hall.