by Jessyca Cardinell

A huge crowd gathered in the grandstands for the opening ceremony of the 2019 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair on the evening of Tuesday, July 30.

The guest speaker was David Zembiec, treasurer of the board of trustees at Advocate Drum (formerly known as the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization). He discussed` the importance of job opportunities in the North Country. He expressed the importance of Fort Drum and how inclusion for the community has been so beneficial to everyone.

Pastor Howard Maxson of the Fowler Baptist Church said a prayer blessing over the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair.

It was then time to cut the red ribbon, as done each year to officially open the fair. Village of Gouverneur Mayor Ron McDougall and Town of Gouverneur Supervisor Dave Spilman, Jr. were welcomed on stage to assist the fair officials during the ceremony. The crowd cheered as the ribbon was cut and the festivities began.

The national anthem was sung beautifully, and the pride of the community really showed through.

The crowd patiently waited for the John Michael Montgomery concert to begin, as each year an excitement filled concert kicks off the first evening of the fair.

Fantastic job to all the fair board members who put in so many extensive hours and a great amount of hard work behind the scenes to ensure that all needs are met and everyone enjoys a fantastic time.