by Rachel Hunter
Fair Manager Don Peck said there’s a lot to look forward to at the 2017 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair! It will be held from Tuesday, August 1 to Sunday, August 6. Admission is free, but there is a small cost for parking. See the following schedule changes and additions to this year’s lineup:
Tuesday, August 1
Harness Racing this year will take place on Thursday, August 3 instead of the traditional opening fair day (Tuesday) so the preparations can be made for the opening night ceremony and concert by Country Music Star Josh Turner on Tuesday, August 1 at 8 p.m. (Gate opens at 6 p.m. Tickets are still available, and can be purchased online.
Wednesday, August 2
Wednesday, August 2 is once again Carlton Peck Band Day at the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair with the high school band competition at 1 p.m. (free grandstand) and the firemen’s parade at 7 p.m. (free grandstand). New following the parade this year (at about 9 p.m.), Fair Manager Peck said there will be a karaoke contest in the beer tent entertainment area.
Thursday, August 2
Thursday, August 3 will feature harness racing at 11 a.m. (free grandstand). The Trews, Canadian Rock band, will perform at 8 p.m. (Gate opens at 6 p.m.) Tickets are still available, and can be purchased online or at the gate. The opening act will be a local favorite, The Waydown Wailers at 7 p.m.
Friday, August 3
The Local Talent Show will take place on Friday, August 4 at 6:30 p.m. this year. Cost is $5 (under 5 free).
Saturday, August 5
Saturday, August 5 brings Tough Trucks Amateur Show to the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair. Fairgoers can watch a variety of supped up vehicles work their way through a maze of obstacles on the track.
Amateurs are encouraged to participate in the racing event. The first show is at 2 p.m. (Gate opens at noon). Amateur racers winning in the afternoon will advance to the evening show at 7 p.m. (Gate opens at 5 p.m.) Waivers and pre-inspection of vehicles are required for individual participation.
Local residents don’t need to have a truck to participate. They can enter with demolition derby cars as well. Fair Manager Peck hopes to have 20 to 25 local participants in the contest.
For more information, call the fair office at (315) 287-3010.
Professional Tough Trucks Show will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 5. Tickets are still available, and good for both the afternoon and evening show. Available online and at the gate.
Sunday, August 7
Sunday, August 7 will feature the crowd-pleasing demolition derby at 1 p.m. at the grandstand. (Gate opens at 11 a.m.) Tickets are available online and at the gate.
Ground Acts
A bigger petting zoo will be on the fairgrounds this year – the Eudora Farms Petting Zoo, an interactive, hands on exotic animal petting zoo, from South Carolina. It includes 20 to 25 rare and exotic animals from around the world. Animal ambassadors such as, “Little Joe” (the wallaby) “Juliet” (The Scotch Highlander) “Humphrey” (The Camel) “Rascal” (The Fennec Fox) and “Kevin Bacon” (the Pot Belly Pig). “Bubba”, the camel has made a name for himself doing over 30,000 rides in the past three years and entertaining crowds by drinking his diet coke.
Also fairgoers are encouraged to be on the lookout for The Kent Family Circus. They are known for their acts with live animals, magic, fire eating, tight rope, trapeze, side show, bullwhip acts, juggling, and more. Each show is guaranteed to be different so be sure to see them all! Dates, times and locations are yet to be determined. Keep an eye open for this spectacular addition to the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair.
Commercial Area
Under the grandstand will be an expanded commercial area. Fair Manager Peck said they have already received word that 16 vendors will be on the premises – including: Scentsy, Tupperware, PrincessHouse, ItWorks!, LuLaRoe, Pink Zebra and others. But there is still plenty of space left. Interested crafters and vendors should contact the Fair Office, (315) 287-3010. The cost is $100 for the week (Tuesday through Saturday).
Don’t Miss It
The American Red Cross Blood Mobile will be located across from the Fair Office again this year on Wednesday, August 2 through Friday, August 4.
Fair Manager Peck also mentioned that there will be new food vendors on the fairgrounds.
Also, more farm equipment will be on display in the agricultural display area.
The Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Office, 85 E. Barney Street, will be open today (Friday, July 21) until noon for entries. Next week they will be open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.