Financial woes from COVID-19 didn’t only impact adults.

Just ask any 4-H members; especially those who show animals.

The Carbon County Fair in Palmerton was held this year after a one-year absence due to the virus and nobody is happier than those 4-H’ers. Last year, when all fairs were canceled, many club members suffered financial hardships caused by raising animals and having nowhere to sell them.

“Having the animals and not being able to show them takes a lot of work and money,” said Jeff Fogel, whose son Jesse has been showing livestock at the Carbon County Fair for 10 years. This year he is showing a large Hereford named Stroker.

Animals shown at the fair are traditionally sold during a livestock auction. The money from the purchase not only helps to offset the cost of raising the animals, it also helps 4-H members buy new ones to show the following year.

This year’s livestock auction will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the fairgrounds.

Jesse Fogel’s family owns possibly the oldest farm in Carbon County. It has been in the family since the late 1700s.

At the fair on Monday, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture recognized it as the first bicentennial farm in Carbon County. It is located along Germans Road in East Penn Township.

Jesse is thrilled that the fair resumed this year because it is his last year in 4-H.

“I’ve been farming all my life,” Jesse said, noting that he will be pursuing a different profession. He’ll be attending school next month and anticipates becoming a diesel mechanic. His passion for mechanics is why he named his steer “Stroker,” after the piston movement in the engines.

Jesse was more fortunate than many other 4-H members last year when there were no fairs to auction his animals. Family members purchased them from him.

Cheyenne Whiteman, 16, of Lehighton, is thrilled to be back at the Carbon Fair. She raised a hog that will be sold on Saturday.

“It’s great to be back,” she said. “I have a chance to compete this year. The hard work I put into this pays off.”

She is hoping the pig, named “Johnny,” is as successful or better than her last fair entry. Two years ago she showed the swine that was judged reserve champion.

Four-H member Brynn Wentz, 16, of Lehighton, didn’t show any animals this year but she did have the opportunity to display her photography skill. She won the “Best of Show” ribbon for her light photo of WandaVision.

Luke Graver of Lehighton, a 4-H leader, said, “It’s good to have the kids back (at the fair). I feel bad for the kids that have the animals and couldn’t sell them last year.”

He said of the exhibitors, “It’s great for the kids to promote agriculture in the county.”

The fair continues through Saturday. It opens daily at 4 p.m. except on Saturday when the gates open at 2 p.m.

Tonight’s feature attraction will be a demolition derby junk car race in the arena beginning at 7 o’clock. An additional fee is charged for the arena shows.

Another main feature this evening is the appearance of the grandchildren to two of country music’s legendary performers. Tre Twitty, grandson of the late Conway Twitty, and Tayla Lynn, granddaughter of Loretta Lynn, will have performances at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.

On Thursday, a demolition derby featuring adults and youth is set for 7 p.m.

Musical entertainment on Thursday will be by The Mudflaps, who will be singing classic oldies.