MACKEYVILLE — With the 52nd Clinton County Fair set to kick off next Saturday, July 26, the Fair Association is announcing several updates and additions to this year’s Fair Week!

For those interested in participating in any of the special baking contests, take note: there is updated “Judging Criteria” for the Junior Baking Contest, the Homemade Chocolate Cake Contest, the Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest and the Angel Food Cake Contest.

Clinton County Fair Managers Barb Forshey and Donna Wech want baking contest participants to be aware that there are important changes to the contest judging criteria. Examples of the changes include different point values for the various criteria, as well as updates to what criteria the contest judges will consider in awarding the winning entry.

The Special Baking Contests rules appear on pages 88 through 91 of the printed version of the 2025 Clinton County Fair Premium Rules Book (as noted, the judging criteria in the Premium Rules Book is the old criteria). The updated guidelines can be found on pages 132-135 in the online version of the Premium Rules Book on the Clinton County Fair website, www.ClintonCountyFairPA.com. People can also contact Ruth Toner, chairperson of the Special Baking Contests, at 570-295-6763.

All of the Special Baking Contests take place Monday, July 28, of Fair Week in the 4-H/Open Show Building, with a 7 a.m. contest registration, followed by judging. The winning entries are then auctioned off in what is always a lively bidding event held at 6 p.m. that evening.

Meanwhile, another change is that there will be no Open Poultry, Pigeons and Eggs exhibits at this year’s Fair. Fair Manager Wech says currently the number of restrictions on poultry make those exhibits unfeasible.

On the entertainment side, singer Carol Sexton has been added to the Senior Citizens Day line-up. Offering a range of Southern Gospel, Praise and Worship, Traditional Country and Patriotic tunes, Sexton will perform Tuesday, July 29, at 2 p.m. at the Fair’s Main Stage Pavilion.

And on Wednesday, July 30, area band Speed Bump Willy brings their high-energy rock, pop and country sounds to the Auxiliary Stage with performances at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.

The eight-day 2025 Clinton County Fair gets underway Saturday, July 26, and runs through Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Fairgrounds in Mackeyville. Each day features an exciting line up of entertainment, exhibits, contests, displays, games and food.

Advance tickets for weekly gate admission, weekly parking and the popular Bullride Mania rodeo to the held Thursday, July 31, at 7 p.m., are available at several area businesses, including Calico Creek Feed & Pet, Chatham Run Feed Mill, Dotterer Equipment, Old School Market, 64 Beer Store/The Farmer’s Dotterer and at the Fair Office on the Fairgrounds.

For a full rundown of activities at this year’s Clinton County Fair, visit www.ClintonCountyFairPA.com or pick up a 2025 Fair Premium Rules Book.