The Clinton County Fairgrounds hosted the annual Claude Thomas Memorial World Championship Squirrel hunt last Saturday. Hunters and dog owners from several states traveled to Albany to participate in the event, and despite the heavy rain in the area Saturday, the turnout was exceptional.

Clinton County has hosted the event for the psst several years, which is always held on the last Saturday in February.

In the top photo, several dogs were resting between events Saturday as their owners traded hunting stories and compared the abilities of their dogs in one of the fairground’s parking lots.

Below, hunters and owners gathered inside the Fairgrounds Community Building prior to the awards ceremony. Event organizers pride themselves in being able to hold and compete in these events without any animals being harmed.