Fairgoers pack grandstand to see 2021 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Firemen’s Parade

by Rachel Hunter

The 2021 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Firemen’s Parade drew a large crowd to the grandstand on Carlton Peck Band Day, Wednesday, August 4, at the Gouverneur Fairgrounds.

Admission to this feature event is free, and the North Country community arrived in great number to resume this tradition after the COVID-19 pandemic crisis canceled last year’s fair and subsequently the 2020 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Firemen’s Parade.

The St. Lawrence County Fire Chief’s Association announced the 2019 Firefighter of the Year is Vinny Ferry of the Gouverneur Fire Department, who also serves as Fire/Rescue District 2 Deputy in Car No. 5, serving Gouverneur, Richville, Hermon, Edwards and DeKalb Junction. He is a past chief of the Gouverneur Fire Department. The 2020 Firefighter of the Year is Jeff Hammond of the Rensselaer Falls Fire Department, who also serves as Fire/Rescue District 1 Deputy in Car No. 4, serving Canton, Morley, Rensselaer Falls, Pyrites, Russell and Pierrepont. He is also a past chief of the Rensselaer Falls Fire Department. The grandstand exploded in great applause as they congratulated these two individuals who have showcased incredible dedication to the fire service throughout the North Country.

The 2021 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Firemen’s Parade lineup was led by the Gouverneur Police Department’s Unit 411, driven by Village of Gouverneur Chief of Police Laurina Greenhill. Following was the New York State Police apparatus, driven by New York State Police Sgt. Buckley and Trooper Augliano, and the St. Lawrence County Sheriff apparatus, driven by Deputy Hunter Yerdon.

The Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Cow Train, created with the help of students at Southwest Career and Technical Education Center in Fowler, had its first public appearance at the 2018 Pumpkin Festival. At the 2021 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Firemen’s Parade, it was driven by Billy Bullock of Edwards, and carried a few young dairy exhibitors. Walking behind was former St. Lawrence County Dairy Princess Camryn Chester of C&M Beef/Dairy, LLC in Lisbon.

The 2021 St. Lawrence County Dairy Princess Elaina Wainwright of Rensselaer Falls and the St. Lawrence County Dairy Ambassadors arrived next in the parade lineup. They promoted and supported the dairy industry throughout the 2021 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair week.

Loud applause and cheers of “Go Wildcats” then rang out as the Gouverneur Central School District Wildcat Marching Band presented “Mr. Blue Sky” by the Electric Light Orchestra. After months of dedicated practice, the Wildcat Marching Band thrilled the crowd with their performance, under the direction of Victor Correa III. This was the only performance by the Wildcat Marching Band this year.

The 2021 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Firemen’s Parade featured fire departments and rescue agencies from St. Lawrence County, Jefferson County and Lewis County. The Gouverneur Volunteer Fire Department led the parade lineup, with members marching along with Chief Thomas Conklin, 1st Assistant Jason Scott, 2nd Assistant Thomas Haynes and EMS Captain Jeff Gibson. GFD’s 54-year member Barry Gale drove Engine 17, and GFD’s Dorwin Gore drove Rescue 4. GFD Past Chief Larry Whitton drove the GFD Truck 2 Ladder Truck.

Next was the Gouverneur Rescue Squad’s A-175 apparatus. Gouverneur Rescue Squad Director is Mark Deavers.

The Richville Volunteer Fire Department followed next with members marching alongside Chief Corie Farr, 1st Assistant Dave Hart, 2nd Assistant Tammy Jenkins. The Richville Fire Department President is Martin Hassett who emceed the annual firemen’s parade. The Richville Fire Department brought ETA-10, Engine 12, Rescue 8, Rescue 28.

The Brier Hill Fire Department Falcons members marched, alongside Chief Macaulay, 1st Assistant Donnie Aldrich, and 2nd Assistant Josh Hunter. They also brought the Brier Hill Fire Department Engine 3. They were followed by the Brier Hill Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.

The Heuvelton Fire Department members marched, alongside Chief Travis Wood, 1st Assistant Brett Bailey, 2nd Assistant Terry Harris. The Heuvelton Fire Department also brought their 1929 Sanford Fire Apparatus.

The Colton Fire Department member marched, alongside Chief Aaron Johnson, 1st Assistant Trevor Wood, 2nd Assistant Ben Johnson, 3rd Assistant Ed Harcourt, and President Kevin Phelix-Bromley. They were followed by Colton Vol. Fire Department Rescue Squad Ambulance A-231.

The Hammond Fire Department members marched, alongside Chief Lenny Bickelhaupt, 1st Assistant Dan Cerosoli, 2nd Assist Tom Norstrom, and EMS Captain Denise Norstrom. They also brought their TA-7 apparatus and R-95 truck.

The Morristown Fire Department members marched, alongside Chief Jay Moore and Captain John Barse. They also brought the Morristown Vol. Fire and Rescue Co. 1’s 45-Engine No. 34, Truck No. 9, and Ambulance 229. The members then gathered at the rear of the ambulance, open the doors, and grabbed handfuls of frozen popsicles for all those in the crowd. The volunteer firefighters then threw the refreshing snack to those eagerly awaiting in the grandstand.

Also appearing were the following: Edwards Fire Department (Engine 27, driven by Edwards Fire Chief Rich Anson), Star Lake Fire Department (Rescue 56), Star Lake Fire and Rescue (Ambulance 281), DeKalb Junction Fire Department (E-78), Potsdam Fire Department (Engine 48), Oxbow Vol. Fire Company (Fightin’ 33), Rensselaer Falls Fire Department (E-52), Fine Volunteer Fire Department (TA-48, R-57), West Potsdam E-119, Hermon Volunteer Fire Department (A-183), Russell Fire Department (E-104, E-93), Pyrites Fire Department (R-91), Redwood Fire Department (37-3-1), Canton Fire Department (E-8), and Harrisville Fire Department (Engine 1).

Much gratitude was extended to all those who participated or attended the 2021 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Firemen’s Parade. Later, the following awards were announced: The Best Appearing Department Without Music in Class A was the Gouverneur Fire Department, second place went to the Richville Fire Department, and third place went to the Hammond Fire Department. In Class B, the Heuvelton Fire Department took the top award. Second place went to Colton Fire Department. Third place went to the Brier Hill Fire Department. The Best Appearing Ladies Auxiliary was the Brier Hill Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.

For more information about the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair, visit gouverneurfair.net.