by Rachel Hunter
The 2023 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair will open on Tuesday, August 1 and run through Sunday, August 6 at the Gouverneur Fairgrounds.
There is free gate admission, and a nominal $5 parking fee.
From crowd favorites to new features, the 2023 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair promises to offer something for everyone.
From the carnival rides and games by the Coleman Bros. Shows Inc. to the fair food from by local vendors, the midway will be the place for North Country residents and visitors who want to thrill their senses, and tantalize their tastebuds.
The Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair also offers prime entertainment events on the fair grandstand this year.
The fair opens on Tuesday, August 1 with the Local Talent Show at 6:30 p.m., free grandstand.
The Carlton Peck Band Day will be held on Wednesday, August 2 with the high school bands parade at 1:30 p.m. with awards to follow, and the firemen’s parade at 7 p.m., free grandstand.
On Thursday, August 3, harness racing will start a noon, with the “Redneck Thursday” events (Diaper Derby, Straw Bale Throwing, Mullet, Beard, & Mustache Contest) scheduled to start at 4 p.m., with the local band, Common Revolution, taking the grandstand stage at 7 p.m.
On Friday, August 4, at 6 p.m., there will be the New York Hot Farm Pulling Series.
On Saturday, August 5, at 7:30 p.m. (gates open at 6 p.m.) will be the headline concert featuring County Artist Dylan Scott. Tickets will be available at the gate. Special concert shuttle transportation from the Gouverneur Elementary School, 111 Gleason St., Gouverneur, will be provided every half-hour from 4 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, August 5 only, courtesy of Don Peck Auctions.
On Sunday, August 6, at 1 p.m. will be the crowd-favorite Demolition Derby. Ticket prices and the full weekly schedule of events can be found online at www.gouverneurfair.net.
Coleman Brothers Shows Inc. will once again bring their carnival rides and games. The midway will be open at 2 p.m. daily from Wednesday, August 2 through Sunday, August 6. Food and concessions only will be available on Tuesday, August 1. The wristband schedule has been posted on the fair’s website. Fairgoers can receive at $10 discounted savings on wristbands if they purchase online before Monday, July 31. For more information, visit www.gouverneurfair.net.
Free ground acts this year will include the Eudora Farms Petting Zoo, Rosaire’s Royal Racers, and Chainsaw Carver Jennifer Black.
There also will be plenty of livestock, ag exhibits, and competitions to see in the agricultural end of the Gouverneur Fairgrounds. Fairgoers can expect the finest dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, and horses on display in the different barns on the fairgrounds. All livestock entries must be in place by 11 a.m. on Tuesday. The livestock shows start on opening day, Tuesday, August 1 and continue through Sunday, August 6. The fair starts this Saturday, July 29 for youth throughout St. Lawrence County with the 4-H Judging Day (9 to 11:30 a.m.) and the Horticulture Contest (noon). The full weekly schedule of events – including both open and junior contests – is now available on the fair’s website.
The Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Association has been working for months to ensure that this is the best fair yet. The Gouverneur Fairgrounds have been improved and fairgoers will once again be awed by the floral wonder displayed throughout the fairgrounds. For more information about the 2023 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair, visit www.gouverneurfair.net, or call 315-287-3010.