MACKEYVILLE — Internationally acclaimed Elvis tribute artist Ryan Pelton is scheduled to make a return performance at the upcoming Clinton County Fair, set for Aug. 1-8 at the Fairgrounds in Mackeyville.
Pelton, who drew a large and enthusiastic crowd at last year’s fair, is set to perform Monday, Aug. 3, at 7:30 p.m., at the Main Stage Pavilion.
Pelton is among a number of talented performers — from local groups to nationally-known artists — to entertain fair-goers. The week’s entertainment line-up includes:
Aug. 1 – Fishers of Men, Bluegrass and gospel group, Auxiliary Stage at 7 p.m.
Aug. 2 –Autumn and Mitch Gavlock, classic and modern country, 80s classic rock, 90s pop and Christian worship and praise music, Auxiliary Stage at 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 3 – Ryan Pelton, Elvis tribute artist, Main Stage Pavilion, 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Aug. 4 – Senior Citizens Day; The Sounds of Charles Lee, Motown and Standards, Main Stage at 2 p.m.; Flashback, classic rock cover band, Auxiliary Stage, 6:30 and 8:15 p.m.
Aug. 5 – Isaac Cole, country music, Main Stage Pavilion 6 and 8 p.m.; KAR Music Box, music from 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s, Auxiliary Stage, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.
Aug. 6 –Over the Influence, Top 40 Classic Rock, Auxiliary Stage, 6 and 8 p.m.
Aug. 7 – Rick K. Rock & Roll Review “From Motown to Mars” on Main Stage, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 8 – Forever George & Tammy tribute to George Jones and Tammy Wynette, Main Stage, 7:30 p.m.; Kidz at Heart, oldies, classic rock and modern country, Auxiliary Stage, 7:30 p.m.
While registrations for fair week activities get underway on Friday, July 31 and continue into
Saturday, the official Opening Ceremony will be held Aug. 1, at 3 p.m., at the Main Stage Pavilion.
Following the opening ceremony, the 2026 Fair Queen will be crowned. The new queen then begins a busy week of participating in various fair activities such as handing out ribbons to livestock show and contest winners, helping make the giant ice cream sundae Aug. 7 that can be enjoyed by all, and in general, welcoming all fairgoers.
Crowning of the Little Fair Princess will be held Sunday, Aug. 2, at 10:30 a.m. on the Main Stage.
Special Events
The Fearless Flores Thrill Show returns Monday through Saturday of Fair Week.
Death defying stunts and jaw dropping displays that take place high above the ground are scheduled each day.
A fair favorite is Ron Beck’s Baby Animals as people of all ages enjoy getting up-close with newborn pigs, goats, lambs and more. The baby animals are located in the Dairy Barn.
Nightly prize drawings are back for the 2026 Fair. Winners of the 9:30 p.m. drawings, held from the Auxiliary Stage, receive bicycles this year, and you must be present to win!
On opening day fairgoers can enjoy a Classic and Custom Car and Truck Show, with vehicles on display from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
If you’ve got a favorite chili recipe, enter it in the Chili Cook-Off on opening day at 3:30 p.m. You can also participate in the Baked Goods Auction at 5:30 p.m. that day.
Throughout the week, those who come to the Fair can walk through and admire a variety of antique tractors on display.
Horseshoe and cornhole tournaments are popular activities during the fair. Bill’s Happy Camper RV Sales & Service hosts the second annual nighttime horseshoe tournament on Aug. 1 at 6 p.m.; there’s horseshoe pitching throughout the week; and people can test their corn bag tossing skills in a Sunday, 3 p.m. cornhole tournament at the Main Stage Pavilion.
Monday is UPMC Day at the fair, with baking contests including the Homemade Chocolate Cake; Junior Baking; Blue Ribbon Apple Pie; and Incredible Angel Food Cake Contest in the morning, followed by an auction of the winning recipes that evening.
New at this year’s fair is the On-Foot Rodeo Triathlon, scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday in the Horse Arena. The Triathlon is open to ages five through adult and involves three-person teams, with one team member competing in dummy roping, another in goat tying (dummy), and the third member in on-foot barrel racing.
Tuesday is Pennsylvania Lottery and Senior Citizen’s Day, with free admission and parking for everyone 62 and older, sponsored by the Donald G. Walker Funeral Home. The day includes free Senior Bingo at 11 a.m., sponsored by UPMC North Central, and the annual “Sizzling Seniors” Talent Show at 3 p.m.
Learn Line Dancing Tuesday evening, as Fawn Hosterman provides a 6 p.m. demonstration with audience participation encouraged!
Wednesday is Kiddies Day at the Fair. Youngsters can register from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Main Stage, with special Kiddies Day activities scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
On Thursday, the Clinton County Fair Association recognizes the support of the Clinton County Community Foundation and its impact on the fair’s growth over the years. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, people are invited to make their own 2×2-foot wooden barn quilt painting. Instructor Heidi Bohnert leads the event and provides all materials (pre-registration is required and class size is limited).
Also on Thursday, the always-entertaining Pedal Power Tractor Pull takes place at 7 p.m. in the Show Arena, as youngsters see who can pedal the farthest riding a mini tractor dragging a weight.
Friday is Red, White & Blue Day, with all Veterans receiving free admission to the fair and free parking. A Veterans program is planned for 4 p.m. that day at the Main Stage Pavilion.
Youth ages 5 to 17 can participate in a pie eating contest that afternoon, and people age 16 and older can participate in a hotdog eating contest. The contests take place at 5:30 p.m. in the 4-H & Open Show Building.
The 19th Annual Fairground Parade steps off Saturday, Aug. 8, at 12:30 p.m. The final day of the 2026 Fair is Buyers & Livestock Day, and includes the Clinton County 4-H and FFA Awards Program at 2:30 p.m., and the 4-H Livestock Sale at 3 p.m., both in the Show Arena.
Track Events
The popular Bullride Mania returns on Thursday, Aug. 6, at the Lower Horse Arena. The 7 p.m. rodeo is held rain or shine. Advance tickets, through July 31, are $10, and $15 at the gate.
Clinton County Speedway events include a Figure Eight & Demolition Derby on opening day, Aug. 1, at 7 p.m. Admission is $10, with children age 12 and under admitted free. The speedway also hosts two fair week races, a four-division night featuring Limited Late Models, Pro Stocks, 270 Micros, and 4 Cylinders on Tuesday night and a five-division race Friday night featuring Racesaver Sprints, Pro Stocks, 270 Micros, 4 Cylinders, and Rising Stars Jr. Sprints. KOI Drag Racing returns Aug. 3 with a 5 p.m. registration and practice, and eliminations at 7 p.m., at the pulling track. Admission to the drag races is free.
Several tractor pulls are also scheduled at the pulling track with a Garden Tractor Pull at 1 p.m. on opening day, a 4×4 Truck Pull on Aug. 2, at 1 p.m., and a Kiddies Day Pull, on Aug. 5, at 6:30 p.m. Admission to all of the pulls is free.
Amusement Rides
Double M Amusements is providing the rides, scheduled to run all eight days of the fair from 5 p.m. until closing. In addition, rides open from 1 to 4 p.m. on Kiddies Day, Aug. 5
and the final day on Aug. 8. Special ride coupons are available for children through the fair office and should be picked up before purchasing a wristband.
Fair Traditions
New and returning food trucks and concessions, as well as a daily menu from the Fair Association’s Clint’s Diner, will be available.
Agriculture exhibits will be available including fresh fruits and vegetables, canned goods and flowers, and the wide range of other exhibits, from photography to quilts.
The Commercial Building and the 4-H Open Exhibit Building are open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and are packed with displays, including Clinton County Master Gardener, 4-H, and Future Farmers of America displays, and a range of commercial and nonprofit vendors.
4-H youth wil showcase their animals, including dairy and beef cows, horses, rabbits, poultry, goats, sheep and hogs.
Discounted advance fair admission and parking passes, and Bullride Mania tickets, are available through July 31 at Chatham Run Feed Mill in Woolrich; Dotterer Equipment in Mill Hall, 64 Beer Store/The Farmer’s Dotterer, also along Route 64, Tails and Trails/Complete Climate Control, LLC in Lock Haven, and at the fair office in Mackeyville.
Daily gate admission is only $5 per person, starting at 7 a.m. on weekends, and after 3 p.m. during the week. Children age 12 and under are admitted free. Parking is an additional $2 per vehicle.
The Fair Association office will be open on July 30 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; July 31 and Aug. 1 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Aug. 2-8 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The office can be reached by calling 570-726-4148 or emailing clintoncountyfairpa@gmail.com.
