MACKEYVILLE - Sure, there's food and rides and games and, well, more food, but the star attraction at the 38th Annual Clinton County Fair is 4-H.
While the rain was coming down Thursday afternoon, it was the youth of 4-H who kept plowing ahead, tending and showing their steer, horses, lambs, pigs, chickens, rabbits and many more farmyard animals.
"This is my third year showing pigs," said Chelsea Geyer, 15, of Mill Hall, while tending to her pigs, Ben and Jerry.
Though only showing at the Clinton County Fair for her third year, Geyer is a five-year veteran of 4-H, with the Susquehanna Haybalers.
"You learn a lot of responsibilities ... taking care of the animals ... and learn a lot about the agricultural business," she said.
That sentiment was heard over and over again in the large barns at the fairgrounds in Mackeyville.
Her sister, Michaela Geyer, 12, is in her fourth year with 4-H, this year showing her pigs, Charlotte and Wilber.
"I enjoy showing pigs and being with them when they are babies and watching them grow," she said. "I also like teaching them how to act during a show and seeing how well they do during presentations."
This week has been a busy week for Michaela, showing not only pigs, but rabbits and goats as well. She and her sister have also had fun after the fair wraps up each night, camping out with their family throughout the long week.
"It's really fun to get away from home and spend time with friends and our animals.
Brennan Register, 17, of Mill Hall, is one of the elder statespeople among 4-H members, having been with the organization for eight years.
"4-H is a great program to teach responsibility in raising animals and getting them ready to show," she said after washing her lamb in preparation for a picture.
Delaney Carey, who with her sister, Brynlin, of Montoursville, were helping Brennan and her sister, McCartney Register , with their animals, remarked that ed 4-H isn't just about animals.
"There are many different programs, like baking and sewing and photography," she said.
"It's not like you have to live on a farm to be a 4-H member," Brennan added.
All four are camping out for the week.
"It's really fun, you get to meet a lot of nice people," Brennan said.
All of them said they enjoy the many different activities for the youth at night, like playing cards or playing at the new volleyball court in the fairgrounds.
"It's just great. I always look forward to it," Brennan said.
Sarah Harnishfeger of Lock Haven and Kelsey Neff of Salona, both 13, were taking some time out Thursday to interact with turkeys.
"I like making friends. You might be in different (4-H) clubs, but you share the same interests," said Harnishfeger, a member of 4-H Unlimited, who was showing her horse, chickens, rabbits and goats at the fair.
Neff, who shows chickens and pigs for Barnyard Buddies, said she likes showing different kinds of animals and learning about different species.
Megan Vonada, 10, of Mill Hall, was busy grooming her two steers, Oscar and Ali.
"It's pretty fun. I like showing in competitions and I meet a lot of friends," she said, noting she also shows a pig and used to show a lambs through Clinton County Bowmasters.
Her brother, Evan, 12, is the owner of the Grand Champion steer Invincible. Winning is nothing new for Evan, as his steer, Winchester, was named Grand Champion in the Junior Market Steer Show at the 2009 Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg.
Invincible will go to the steer sale on Saturday, but Evan has other steer at his family's farm in Mill Hall that he plans to show at the State Fair in January.
"I like showing steer all over the state of Pennsylvania," Evan said. "I also go to a lot of jackpot shows where you win prizes."
He and his sister are camping out at the fair all week with their father and mother, Wade and Pam Vonada.
"I like it (camping) a lot and it's convenient that you don't have to go all the way back to the fair every day to take care of your animals," Evan said.
His father lauded the 4-H organization for teaching youngsters responsibility in not only taking care of animals, but also training them and preparing them for shows.
"They have a lot of fun and it's nice spending time with them," Wade said. "Instead of them just having to get ready to show, they have a lot of fun."
