by Rachel Hunter
The 2021 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair officially opens on Tuesday, August 3 and runs through Sunday, August 8.With childlike enthusiasm, the Gouverneur community along with the rest of St. Lawrence County is eagerly awaiting the return of the annual county fair. From the 4-H Projects and Livestock Exhibits to the Coleman Bros. midway complete with rides and galore, food vendors, and great entertainers on the grandstand… There’s something for everyone at the 2021 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair!
The anticipation for this county fair has been building since before the cancellation of the 2020 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. With vaccinations on the rise and the return to “normal” activities, the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Board has spent months planning to truly make it one of the best county fairs in Northern New York.
Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Manager Don Peck of Gouverneur said that signs will be posted at the auto entrance (Rock Island St.) and the pedestrian entrance (East Barney St.) encouraging all those who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated to wear a mask while on the Gouverneur Fairgrounds, in accordance with the CDC and New York State Department of Health Guidelines.
The St. Lawrence County Public Health and the Community Health Center of the North Country (CHCNC) announced this week they would be holding COVID-19 vaccination clinics at the St. Lawrence County Fair, 85 East Barney Street, Gouverneur, NY 13542 at the CHCNC/Public Health Booth (Pfizer for anyone 12 years and older. Johnson & Johnson available while supplies last.) Walk-in only. The clinic will be held on the following dates: Tuesday, August 3rd, 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm; Wednesday, August 4th, 11:00 am - 7:00 pm; Thursday, August 5th, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm; Friday, August 6th, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm; and Saturday, August 7th, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. Vaccinations are available at local pharmacies. If you or someone you know is homebound and is interested in receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, please call 315-386-2325.
Fair Manager Don Peck added that the Coleman Bros. Shows, Inc. will once again bring many rides and games to the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Midway. Wristbands are available at colemanbrothersshows.com. The 2021 Fair will see the return of traditional fair food vendors, and some new food trucks as well. There is still plenty of room under the grandstand for any vendor who wants to join the fun at the 2021 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair. Just call Fair Manager Don Peck at 315-771-7690 or go online at gouverneurfair.net.
Fair Manager Don Peck also added that tickets for the grandstand shows will be available online at gouverneurfair.net and at the Gouverneur Fair Office, 85 East Barney St., Gouverneur, until the start of fair week. Tickets will also be available at the gate during the fair. The 2021 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Grandstand Stage will feature musical talent and more you will not want to miss!
On Tuesday, August 3, 8 p.m., the opening night concert will feature the award-winning American Country Music band, Lonestar.
Lonestar is an American country music group consisting of Drew Womack (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Michael Britt (lead guitar, background vocals), Dean Sams (keyboards, acoustic guitar, background vocals), and Keech Rainwater (drums). The group was founded in 1992 by Britt, Sams, Rainwater, lead vocalist Richie McDonald and bass guitarist/vocalist John Rich. Rich exited the band in 1998 and went on to become one-half of the duo Big & Rich. Since his departure, Lonestar has relied alternatingly on session and touring musicians for bass guitar accompaniment. McDonald exited the band in 2007 to record as a solo artist, and was replaced by former McAlyster vocalist Cody Collins before returning in 2011. After leaving the band a second time in 2021, McDonald was replaced by Womack, previously the lead vocalist of Sons of the Desert.
Lonestar has charted more than 20 singles on the Hot Country Songs chart, including 9 that reached No. 1: "No News", "Come Cryin' to Me", "Amazed", "Smile", "What About Now", "Tell Her", "I'm Already There", "My Front Porch Looking In", and "Mr. Mom". "Amazed" also charted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the first country song to do so since "Islands in the Stream" in 1983. "Amazed" and "My Front Porch Looking In" were the top country songs of 1999 and 2003, respectively, on Billboard Year-End. The group has recorded seven albums, one EP, and a greatest hits package for the defunct BNA Records, and one album each for three different independent labels. Three of their albums have been certified platinum or higher by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The band's first two albums were defined by honky-tonk and neotraditionalist country influences, but subsequent albums largely drew from country pop.
The Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Board agreed to turn this concert around, and all are invited to bring chairs as they will be seated on the grass behind the grandstand stage. There is great anticipation for this opening night concert. Tickets are still available online at gouverneurfair.net or through the fair office up until fair week. Tickets will also be available at the gate. For more information, call 315-287-3010.
The grandstand events continue on Wednesday, August 4 for the Firemen’s Parade, 7 PM. The New York Sire Stakes Harness Racing will be held on Thursday, August 5, starting at noon. Local musical talent and more are invited to perform in the Talent Show on Thursday, August 5, 6:30 PM. On Friday, August 6, the Rafter Z Rodeo will be put on two events – one at 2 p.m. and one at 8 p.m. On Saturday, August 7 will be the Hot Farm Pulling Series at 6 p.m. And on Sunday, August 8, at 1 p.m., there will be the one and only Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Demolition Derby.
The Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair will operate under the applicable guidance of CDC and all NYS DOH and local requirements during fair week. Officials say grandstand events may have limited capacity. Pre-Sale Tickets are available through Etix and the Fair Office (up to fair week). Visit gouverneurfair.net for more information. Tickets also available the day of show at the Gate. The Fair Office is now open Monday through Friday, 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. For more information, call 315-287-3010.
The 2021 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair will also see the return of free ground acts – the Rosaire’s Racing Pigs (by the NYS Maple Producers Sugar Shack) and the Eudora Farms Petting Zoo (by the Cattle Show Ring).
Fair Manager Peck also told the Gouverneur Tribune Press that much work has gone into preparing the grounds for the 2021 Fair. New work this year included renovating the Nesco Cattle Barn, horse stalls, and so much more. With fair entries already submitted, Fair Manager Peck said over 200 head of top-quality beef and dairy cattle along with sheep, poultry, goats, and more will be exhibited at the 2021 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair on the Gouverneur Fairgrounds.
The 4-H and Open Livestock Show Schedule and more has been announced as follows: On Monday, August 2, the 4-H Horse Show will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is a change from the three-day format used in previous years. The rain date for this show will be on Tuesday, August 3. Also on Monday, August 2 will be 4-H Poultry Show in the Sheep Barn at noon. 4-H Poultry will be in place by 11 a.m.
On Tuesday, August 3, the 4-H and Open Beef Show will be held at 9 a.m. in the Cattle Show Ring. The 4-H Dog Show will be held at 9:30 a.m. (immediately following the Beef Show). The 4-H Goat Show will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the Sheep Barn. At 1 p.m., the 4-H and FFA Dairy Judging Contest will be held in the Cattle Show Ring. At 3 p.m., the 4-H and FFA Dairy Fitting Contest will be held in the cattle show ring. The fair officially opens at 4 p.m. The 4-H Club Booth Judging will be held at 5 p.m. As well, the 4-H Rabbit Show will be held at 5 p.m. in the Sheep Barn.
Wednesday, August 4, is 4-H Spirit Day. At 10 a.m., 4-H Dairy Showmanship will be held in the Cattle Show Ring. The FFA Leadsmen Class will immediately follow. At 10 a.m., the FFA Tractor Driving, FFA Tree and Wildlife ID, FFA Field and Forage Contest will be held at the FFA Barn. At 1:30 p.m., the 4-H and Open Sheep Show will be held in the Sheep Barn. The 4-H Sheep Lead Event will be held at the grandstand, starting at 6:30 p.m., just before the Firemen’s Parade at 7 p.m.
On Thursday, August 5, the 4-H and Open Holstein, Gurnsey and Milking Shorthorn Show will be held at 9 a.m. in the Cattle Show Ring.
On Friday, August 6, the 4-H and Open Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, and Jersey Cattle Show will commence at 9 a.m. in the Cattle Show Ring.
On Saturday, August 7, the FFA building will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for daily activities and demonstrations. The 4-H Cat Show will be held in the 4-H Youth Building at 2 p.m.
On Sunday, August 8, the release of 4-H exhibits and livestock will be from 3 to 4 p.m.
With lots to see and do at the 2021 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair, make plans today to attend from opening day, Tuesday, August 3 through Sunday, August 8! For tickets and more information, visit gouverneurfair.net. See you at the fair!