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A Family Affair: Catherine Lavallee crowned 2026 Clinton County Fair Queen by sister

MILL HALL -- A family tradition took center stage Saturday, Aug. 1, as outgoing Clinton County Fair Queen Sarah Lavallee crowned her sister, Catherine Lavallee, as the 2026 Clinton County Fair Queen during the Fair Queen Contest of the 53rd Clinton County Fair.

The emotional crowning marked the continuation of the Lavallee family's legacy of representing the fair, highlighting the importance of agriculture, community and service that the queen program promotes.

Catherine Lavallee earned the title after competing alongside Emily Bechdel, Madalynn Bryant and Benelli Reynolds in a contest that included personal interviews, public speaking, an essay, evening gown presentation and an impromptu question.

Emily Bechdel was named first alternate.

Why you should come to the Clinton County Fair

As part of the competition, each contestant delivered a speech answering the question, "Why should you come to my fair?" Their responses emphasized the fair's role in preserving agriculture while strengthening community ties.

Lavallee described the fair through the acronym "CLASSIC," saying each letter represents what makes the event special: Community, Livestock, Agriculture, Sacrifice, Social, Iconic and Celebrate. She said those values reflect everything the Clinton County Fair stands for and the reasons people return year after year.

Bechdel focused on the educational value of the fair, saying it showcases the hard work and knowledge of local farmers and food producers while giving young exhibitors the opportunity to build confidence by showing their livestock.

Reynolds told judges that although the Clinton County Fair may be small compared to others across the state, it has a much larger impact on the surrounding community. She said one of her favorite parts of fair week is watching children proudly exhibit their animals, calling them the future of both the fair and agriculture.

Bryant described the fair as "a living, breathing testament to agriculture" and a proud symbol of the area's deep agricultural roots. She said the event highlights the dedication, discipline and hard work required to produce the food people eat every day.

Social media's role in agriculture

Contestants were also asked an impromptu question on whether social media is helping or hurting the farming community.

Lavallee said social media is a valuable educational tool that gives farmers the opportunity to teach consumers about agriculture and where their food comes from.

Bechdel agreed, saying social media helps empower farmers by allowing them to share their stories and continue growing their operations while connecting directly with the public.

Reynolds said social media can both help and hurt agriculture. While it provides opportunities to educate consumers, she noted that misinformation and misinterpretation can quickly spread online, creating challenges for farmers.

Bryant also said social media has both positive and negative effects. She said it gives farmers an excellent platform to show consumers how food is grown and strengthen the farm-to-table connection, but acknowledged that inaccurate information can also damage public perception of agriculture.

As the newly crowned queen, Catherine Lavallee will spend the coming year serving as an ambassador for the Clinton County Fair, promoting agriculture throughout the county and representing the fair at events across Pennsylvania before competing in the Pennsylvania State Fair Queen Contest.

The crowning ceremony followed the official opening of the 53rd Clinton County Fair, which continues throughout the week with livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, entertainment, competitions and family activities celebrating the county's agricultural heritage.