PHOTO PROVIDED A new welcome sign is in place this week at the entrance to the Clinton County Fairgrounds in Mackeyville. Pictured, from left, are chainsaw carver Jeff Donoughe, who carved the new sign, which features the Fair symbol “Clint” the pig; Connie Peiffer, Fair Association grounds rental coordinator, and Fair Association President Philip Courter. Missing from the photo is Robert Gleghorn, president of Mountain Top Insurance Agency, Inc., who sponsored the new welcome sign.

MACKEYVILLE — The Clinton County Fair Association’s “Clint the Pig” symbol doesn’t appear only on the fair’s letterhead anymore. A new, larger-than-life pig is now stationed at the main gate to the fairgrounds in Mackeyville, welcoming all who enter!

The four-foot tall, wooden pig — complete with a red bowtie, white gloves and blue suitcoat — is the creation of chainsaw carver Jeff Donoughe. Donoughe organizes the annual Hooskow Chainsaw Carvers’ Event that’s taking place this Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 23-25, at the fairgrounds.

Connie Peiffer, who oversees the fair association’s grounds rentals, says the discussion about having a Clint the Pig carving at the front entrance to the fairgrounds actually began last year.

“A large, carved bear was left at the main gate after last year’s Hooskow Chainsaw Carvers’ festival,” says Peiffer. “While we liked the bear, we started joking that it would be more appropriate to have a pig, which has been our fair symbol for many years. Jeff (Donoughe) ran with the idea.”

“The pig is about four-feet tall and was carved from one piece of pinewood, and then we added a welcome sign,” says Donoughe, adding that Tammy Haines assisted in painting the pig.

Longtime fair supporter Mountain Top Insurance Agency, Inc., of Bellefonte, and its President Robert C. Gleghorn sponsored the pig carving.

Donoughe says he wanted to have the new carving in place at the fairgrounds front entrance in time for this year’s eleventh annual Hooskow.

“We’ll have more than 50 carvers at this year’s event, along with food trucks and other vendors, and a Saturday auction of carved items. There’s a one-time admission of only $5, so we invite everyone to come check out all of the carvings.

While this weekend’s Hooskow marks the debut of the new pig, thousands of people will be welcomed by the carving as they participate in Fair-sponsored events such as the annual Clinton County Fair (scheduled Aug. 1-8 in 2026), races April through September at the Clinton County Speedway, Christmas in the Barns, and even those who use the Fairgrounds for winter storage of RVs, campers, boats and vehicles.

The grounds are also host to many other events such as the Wine in the Wilds wine tasting festival, Truckers 4 Hope Semi Truck Show, PA Trappers Association public shows, horse events, auctions, weddings, meetings and reunions, and private camping. For more information on the Fairgrounds, visit www.ClintonCountyFairPA.com or contact Peiffer at 570-726-3633.