PHOTO PROVIDED Becky Charles, of Avis, will be among a group of area residents to compete at the 2026 PA Farm Show this weekend at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. Charles took home a blue ribbon in the 2025 Clinton County Fair America250 Apron Contest, making her eligible for this weekend’s state-level competition. She’s pictured with her award-winning apron.

MACKEYVILLE — The 2026 PA Farm Show — Pennsylvania’s State Fair — gets underway this Saturday at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, and several Blue Ribbon award winners from the 2025 Clinton County Fair will be among those vying for state-level titles.

Four people will take part in baking contests at the Farm Show, while another will be a contestant in the apron contest that highlights the America250PA celebration of our nation’s 250 birthday.

Ruth Toner, chairperson for the Clinton County Fair baking contests, says the four blue ribbon winners from this past year’s fair will be competing at the Farm Show.

Brenda Smith, of Lock Haven, will participate in the Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest, which is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. this Saturday at the Farm Show Complex.

At 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, 12-year-old Finn Kremser, of Lock Haven, will compete in the PA Preferred Junior Baking Cookies, Brownies and Bar Contest. Kremser took a blue ribbon at the 2025 Clinton County Fair with his Perfect Classic Brownies recipe.

Michele Condo, of Bellefonte, will take part in the Homemade Chocolate Cake Contest, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. this Saturday at the Farm Show.

And on Sunday at 9:30 a.m., Nikki Bechdel, of Mackeyville, will compete in the Incredible Angel Food Cake Contest.

Also on Sunday, Becky Charles, of Avis, will take part in the America250 Apron Contest, scheduled for 6 p.m. Charles was the blue ribbon winner of the 2025 Apron Contest at the Clinton County Fair. In anticipation of the 250th celebration, county-level apron contest participants crafted patriotic aprons for the competition.

Charles’ apron is a red, white and blue double apron that uses six fabric combinations. The apron’s base layer features a barn theme, overlapped by a floral pattern of summer flowers, and highlighted by stars and stripes. The apron also features pockets with wooden buttons and a machine-embroidered bib.

The PA Farm Show runs Jan. 10-17, 2026. Admission is free.

The 53rd annual Clinton County Fair is scheduled for Aug. 1-8 at the Clinton County Fairgrounds in Mackeyville. For those who may be interested, there will again be opportunities to participate in baking contests, apron contests, and many others. Fairgoers can also look forward to entertainment, great food, exhibits and agricultural displays, 4-H animal shows, and more.

For more information on the Clinton County Fair and other Fair Association-sponsored events, visit www.ClintonCountyFairPA.com.