by Rachel Hunter
The Greater Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored 2018 Flag Day Parade drew citizens of the Gouverneur community to the Gouverneur Village Park on Saturday, June 9 in time for its 2 p.m. start time.
Chamber Director Connie Spilman announced the parade lineup. In the lead car (Gouverneur Police Department Apparatus 411) was Gouverneur Police Department Patrolman Darren Fairbanks, bringing the parade from Johnstown St., down Main St., crossing in front of the village park before turning down North Gordon St.
Local dignitaries marching included: Town of Gouverneur Councilman Curran Wade, Village of Gouverneur Mayor Ron McDougall and Town of Gouverneur Deputy Supervisor Eldon Conklin. Councilman Wade assisted the Greater Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce by passing out flags to the children in the crowd.
Next came the Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035 Officers Exalted Ruler Randy Durham, Esteemed Leading Knight April Lewis, Esteemed Loyal Knight Gresford Speid, Esteemed Lecturing Knight Megan Mashaw, Esquire Krista Wainwright, and Inner Guard Linda Westcott. With them was the Elroy The Elk who encourages all area children to pause and remember that hugs are better than drugs.
The color guard from 10th Mountain Division Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Fort Drum followed. It included Sgt. Lumkin, SPC Royal, SPC Jeffers, PFC Martin.
Gouverneur FFA Chapter members, Boy Scout Troop 21, and Cub Scout Pack 21 carried the giant American Flag for all to honor in recognition of its 241st birthday.
The Gouverneur Fire Department Rescue Truck 4 with Daimon and Seeley Tuttle and the Gouverneur Rescue Squad A-173 also made an appearance.
Making its debut appearance was the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Association’s Cow Train, recently created by students at Southwest Tech (BOCES), which also advertised the 2018 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair, which will run July 31 through August 5. Announced was the schedule as follows: Tuesday, July 31 at 8 p.m. Wynonna Judd and The Big Noise. Wednesday, August 1 at 7 p.m. Firemen’s Parade. Thursday, August 2 at 7:30 p.m., The Amish Outlaws. Friday, August 3 at 6 p.m. Local Talent Show. Saturday, August 4, Veteran Ride To Freedom Bike Rally and Confederate Railroad. Sunday, August 5 at 1 p.m. Demo Derby. The fair will also feature food, carnival games and rides by Coleman Bros. Free Ground Acts Daily include Eudora Farms Petting Zoo, and Rosaire’s Royal Racers. For more information, visit GouverneurFair.net.
Next was the Gouverneur Recreation Department, and all were encouraged to attend the School’s Out Celebration Week, June 25 to 28, 1 to 4 p.m., featuring daily activities including Rec Center Fun Fests and Youth Scout Events. Summer Recreation begins July 2.
The Gouverneur Wildcat Marching Band under the direction of Victor Correa and assistant Jenelle Yeoman, Jessica McMaster and Jessica Toppin, performed “Americana!”
Complete with the Lady Liberty and Uncle Sam, the Senior Citizens Group put out all the stops in their patriotic float, “God Bless America.” Much gratitude was extended to all the volunteers who helped with the float, and to the driver of the truck and trailer that were donated for the parade. There is no doubt that this entry was the “Most Patriotic” Float and deserving of the Chamber’s $50 cash prize.
Also appearing from Fort Drum was SPC Caleb Hall and SGT Lackins Patrick of the 110th Sustainment Brigade.
The Indian River Marching Warriors, led by Ashley Trudell and assisted by Kelly Furgison, Anita Harvell and Michelle Na, presented “Welcome to the Black Parade / Light Em Up.”
The New York State Police apparatus signaled the end of the parade, and Announcer Stowell encouraged all to stay and enjoy the events in the park
The 2018 Flag Day Event also included a farmers market, craft and vendor show, food vendors, children’s games by the Gouverneur Recreation Center (bounce house sponsored by Aubuchons Hardware), food vendors, and so much more. The Gouverneur Museum was open all day for the occasion and they also had a vast historical display in the village park. The event opened at 10 a.m. All were welcomed, and The Timberliners – featuring Billy Farr, Ann Whitton Goodale, and champion fiddler Donald Woodcock – performed in the village gazebo between 10 a.m. and noon, thanks to the Gouverneur Savings and Loan Association.
At noon, the Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035 held its Flag Ceremony with the assistance of the Gouverneur FFA Chapter, Gouverneur Boy Scout Troop 21, and the Gouverneur Cub Scout Pack 21.
The Chamber handed out free American Flags to all those who wanted to wave on during the 2018 Flag Day Parade. Much joy was on the faces of those in attendance as the Gouverneur community once again to celebrate the birth of the American Flag.
For more information on the Greater Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce, visit GouverneurChamber.net. The Chamber is currently celebrating 110 years of service.