By Dick Sterling
Officials with the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair have announced that the 159th annual exhibition will, once again, feature an August run, and promises to offer so great new attractions, as well as many of the favorites that area residents have looked forward to for generations.
This year’s fair will begin on Monday, August 2, and continue through Sunday, August 8. As in the past few years, there will be no admission charge to enter the grounds. A $3 parking fee will be requested.
As was the case last year, Coleman Brothers will provide the midway for the annual fair, in fact, the Connecticut company has agreed to keep coming to Gouverneur for the next two years.
“They’ve did a great job last year, and we’re confident that they’ll be even better this year,” said Don Peck, president of the Gouverneur Fair Board. “Last year they brought us about 20 rides and several games, this year they anticipate bringing two more rides, maybe about 23. They offer a good m9ix of adult-type rides and kiddie rides,” said Mr. Peck.
This year the St. Lawrence County Fair has been chosen to display an agriculture awareness project. Agriculture recycling will be the theme with recycled ag plastics and newspapers the primary focus. A new building to house the demonstration has been purchased and presentations and information will be provided throughout the week.
In addition, a picnic table made entirely of a unique lumber derived from recycled agricultural plastics will be on display and will be raffled off during the fair. The table was constructed by the Gouverneur FFA class under the direction of agriculture instructor Joe Bullock.
This year’s fair will open on Monday, August 2, but Coleman Brothers will not have all of their midway in place until Tuesday, August 3, at 4 p.m. The rides will open at 1 p.m. the rest of fair week.
Harness racing will be featured on just one day this year, Tuesday, beginning at noon.
Tuesday evening the annual talent show will be featured in front of the grandstand beginning at 7 p.m. For more information contact the director Toni Young at 659-8104.
Wednesday will be Band Day, as several area high school bands and marching units show their talents. The annual Firemen’s Parade will take place on Wednesday evening.
Thursday the fair will present a children’s show in the afternoon and again in the evening. The kids will certainly get a kick out of Smudge Fundaes. The shows are aimed at those under the age of 12 and will be featured at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. There will be an admission charge for the show.
The Monster Truck Show returns on Friday evening, August 6, at 7:30 p.m. Some of the trucks scheduled to appear this year are Big Foot, Storm Damage and Tow Mater. Spectators can also get in on the action with a ride in the Mopar 1 ride truck.
Saturday ATV drag races and time trials will be featured at 11 a.m. From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. enjoy a concert featuring many of your favorite local and regional rock bands. Admission is just $5.
Of course Sunday is always reserved for the popular demolition derby. This year’s metal-crunching action will begin at 3 p.m.
Advanced sale tickets and ride tickets will be available starting two weeks before the fair opens. Once again, wristband days will be offered so that those who enjoy the rides can ride all day for one price.
Free shows will be offered daily on the midway and will include: Doc Swan’s Magical Comedy Show, the Wild Animal Experience Petting Zoo; and the First Bite Fishing tank, whih will allow fairgoers to actually fish, using barbless hooks. The educational show will certainly be a hit.
Be sure to check out the Gouverneur Museum’s satellite museum on the fairgrounds, with plenty of interesting local items on display.
Several new food stands have requested space at this year’s fair, and four local wineries will also be on hand in the wine tent.
In addition, there’ll be local crafters, a chainsaw carver, a blacksmith, packbasket maker, local artists, soap making, helicopter rides, face painting and much more… and don’t forget the primary reason the fair is in existence… to allow our local farmers the opportunity to show their livestock and give everybody the opportunity to enter their prized goods in good old-fashioned competitions.
The Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair is one of the oldest traditions in St. Lawrence County. The fair is presented annually at the Gouverneur Fairgrounds, located off Barney Street and Rock Island Road, behind the Gouverneur High School.