Celebrating The Fourth: GFD Fireworks Spectacular wows community

by Rachel Hunter

The North Country community gathered at the Gouverneur Fairgrounds on Sunday, July 2 to witness the Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular – which proved to be the largest, most spectacular and longest fireworks display in the North Country. The event was held by the Gouverneur Volunteer Fire Department in celebration of its 145 years of service to Gouverneur and the surrounding communities.

Did you know? The first fire department in Gouverneur was known as “Gouverneur Hose Company No. 1” and was organized in December 1868. On November 22, 1877, this company voted to disband. On January 29, 1878, the Fire Company was reorganized again under the name “Gouverneur Hose Company No. 1” and chartered by the State of New York, and has remained in continuous service to this day.

The Gouverneur Volunteer Fire Department takes great pride in offering the largest fireworks display in the North Country each, thanks to the efforts by the Northern New York Display Fireworks (Potsdam, NY) and contributions for local community members and businesses. This year’s sponsors include: Superior Plus Energy Services, Conklin Insurance, The Casablanca Restaurant, Dunn Paper, Gouverneur Savings and Loan Association, Northland Veterinary Hospital, KT Contracting, Empire Northeast, RSI Roofing, Tripp Fuels division of Glider Oil, Blevins Ford, Cives Steel, Vanderbilt Minerals LLC, MRSLC, Newvine’s Napa, Fun Unlimited, Hill Top Energy, and Titan Mining. The Gouverneur Fire Department extends gratitude for the contributions from these fine local sponsors.

Allan LaValley of Northern New York Display Fireworks has been deploying fireworks for 28 years, and was pleased to return to the Gouverneur Fairgrounds for the 2023 GFD’s Fireworks Spectacular. The Gouverneur community was once again wowed by the incredible display of 1,870 fireworks, which was deployed by the Northern New York Display Fireworks crew and volunteers from St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Lewis Counties. This was just one of the 40 shows that the Northern New York Display Fireworks organizes each year.

The Gouverneur Volunteer Firefighters accepted donations at each fair entrance (Rock Island St., E. Barney St., and Babcock St.) after the gates opened at 5 p.m. Much gratitude is extended to all the North Country families who showed their great support of the Gouverneur Volunteer Fire Department at the event. The first fireworks spectacular on the Fourth of July weekend since the COVID-19 pandemic, it is estimated that hundreds upon hundreds packed the Gouverneur Fairgrounds for a chance to witness the fireworks spectacular from their selected spot around the fairgrounds track and midway.

Many North Country families enjoyed fun, food and fellowship at the event. The family friendly fun available included locomotive train rides, a chance to see classic cars (shown by the Nichols Family in Gouverneur), participate in the GFD’s 50-50 raffle, and so much more. Those who entered the fairgrounds via the W. Barney St. entrance (by the fair office) had the opportunity to view GFD’s Engine 17, Engine 18 and Truck 2 (from which a large American Flag was proudly displayed). Food vendors on site included several local businesses, such as Cotton Candy N More, Mullin’s, New York Pizzeria, Nibbles Snackery, Kim’s Cheesecake on a Stick, Reczko's Munchies, and the Pepsi-Cola Bottlers of Ogdensburg.

The Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Association was also on site to promote the upcoming 2023 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair, headline concert (Dylan Scott) and pre-sale discounted wristbands. They also sold soda, water and ice cream. The 2023 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair will be held Tuesday, August 1 through Sunday, August 6, at the Gouverneur Fairgrounds.

The Coleman Bros. Shows Midway opens 2 p.m. daily, starting Wednesday, August 2. The schedule of grandstand events features the following: The Local Talent Show will be held on Tuesday, August 1 at 6:30 p.m., free grandstand. The Carlton Peck Band Day will be held on Wednesday, August 2 with the High School Band Parade at 1:30 p.m. and the Firemen’s Parade at 7 p.m., free grandstand. On Thursday, August 3, the local band Common Revolution, will perform on the grandstand at 7 p.m. The NY Farm Pulling Series will be held on Friday, August 4 at 6 p.m. Tickets for the headline concert by Country artist Dylan Scott on Saturday, August 5, 7:30 p.m., are still available. The ever-popular Demolition Derby will be held on Sunday, August 6, 1 p.m. For more information, call 315-287-3010. The Gouverneur Fire Department extended much gratitude to the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair association for the use of the grounds for the GFD’s Fireworks Spectacular.

Many North Country residents told the Gouverneur Tribune Press that they were impressed by fireworks spectacular, calling it the “best fireworks” seen in Gouverneur in recent history. Much credit was also extended to the food vendors and others for making the event fun for the whole family. North Country residents are already making plans to witness the Gouverneur Fire Department’s Fireworks Spectacular in 2024.